Mom charged with DWI, child abuse, reckless driving

A one-vehicle wreck along U.S. 74 just before I-26 Tuesday, Feb. 26 seriously injured a mother and her 2-year old son, according to the N.C. Highway Patrol.

N.C. State Trooper Grady McGraw said Jessica Rhodes, of Arden, was driving a Honda passenger vehicle westbound along U.S. 74 in Columbus around 7:30 p.m. when she ran off the road to the left and struck a tree.

Rhodes was charged with driving while impaired, misdemeanor child abuse, child unrestrained and reckless driving, according to McGraw.

McGraw said Rhodes’2-year old son was in a child-restraining seat in the back of the car, but he was not buckled.

Emergency crews had to cut Rhodes out of the vehicle because she was entrapped, McGraw said. The 2-year old was not entrapped.

Although a helicopter was called, it was unable to arrive because of foggy conditions. Both were transported to Spartanburg Regional Medical Center by ambulance with significant injuries, according to McGraw.