Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more!
Mom Charged With Murder After Allegedly Driving Onto Flooded Bridge, Resulting In Son's Drowning Death
Alexandra Richardson allegedly admitted using meth and marijuana before attempting to drive through the floodwaters that cost her son his life.
A Kentucky mother has been charged with murder after she allegedly drove onto a flooded bridge with her children in the car, resulting in her toddler son’s death.
Alexandra Richardson, 28, of Bowling Green allegedly drove her car into a “low water bridge” on Dec. 2 causing her car to become submerged, according to an Edmonson County Sheriff's Department press release obtained by Oxygen.com. Her 7-year-old son and 20-month-old son were both in the car as it filled with water.
Richardson and her 7-year-old made it out “by the time emergency personnel arrived, but her 20 month old son was lost in the water,” according to the press release.
After emergency personnel entered the water, they found the toddler “about 50 feet from the submerged vehicle.”
He was unresponsive and taken to a nearby hospital where doctors were able to get his heart beating again. The toddler was then airlifted to a children’s hospital but, tragically, died the next day.
During an interview with investigators, Richardson “admitted to recently using methamphetamine and marijuana,” according to the press release. Both marijuana and methamphetamine were allegedly found at her home during a subsequent search.
Richardson has been charged with murder, two counts of first-degree wanton endangerment, operating a motor vehicle under the influence as well as drug possession charges. She’s being held on a $50,000 bond.
It’s not clear if Richardson has a lawyer who can speak on her behalf.
Investigators noted in the press release that Richardson said “she had driven across the flooded bridge several times in the past and didn’t think it was that deep.” She also allegedly told them she did not see a "road closed" sign, according to the Edmonson Voice. She said her car stalled as she tried to drive through the high water.
It’s not clear what evidence prompted the murder charge. A preliminary report says the young boy died of drowning.
“That road is well known in the community for flooding,” Sheriff Shane Doyle told People. “There are permanently mounted signs that are concreted into the ground on either side of the bridge. It says road may flood. And then when the road floods, the local county road department puts out these barrier signs that say ‘road closed.’ You cannot miss them. It is very apparent the road is closed. You aren’t supposed to go past the sign.”
