Alleged Drunk Mom Hits Pole, Breaks Kids' Legs

KALAMAZOO (WWJ/AP) - Authorities have filed felony charges against a 24-year-old Kalamazoo woman they say was driving drunk with her 3-year-old daughter and 4-year-old son aboard when she struck a utility pole, sending both children to a hospital with broken legs.

The Kalamazoo Gazette said the children were in fair condition Monday afternoon at Bronson Methodist Hospital.

Police said the children were not secured in child-safety seats, which were in the Ford Escort's trunk when it crashed Sunday night.

Valerie J. Phelps was arraigned on two counts each of felony operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated causing serious injury, felony reckless driving causing serious impairment of body function and misdemeanor operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated with an occupant who is less than 16 years of age.

Phelps cried during Monday's video arraignment, telling a judge she "shouldn't have been driving the vehicle" and "didn't mean to hurt" her children.

Investigators say Phelps and a 25-year-old man were arguing before the crash. She's due back in court June 30.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.