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Boy's call: 'Dad's drunk-driving'

NEW LONDON, Connecticut - A 10-year-old boy called 911 from the back seat of his dad's car because he was scared he and his older sister might be killed. Then they crashed...

According to the Daily Mail, the (unnamed) boy told police he was “worried for his safety and that of his 12-year-old sister” as their father drove his Mercedes-Benz at high speed in Connecticut after after he'd been drinking alcohol.

INEVITABLE CRASH

Before police could send help or get to the family the dad, Owen Gilman (49), had crashed into the back of a Jeep Grand Cherokee.

The children weren't seriously injured but the driver of the Jeep, which rolled down an embankment after the impact, was taken to hospital with "blunt-force trauma" injuries and lacerations, the Mail reported.

The boy reportedly told police on his mobile that he was considering jumping from the car as it seemed like a safer option than being in it. The call was disconnected and other calls flooded in to police from witnesses to report a crash near Stonington.

'FEEL BLESSED'

Gilman was arrested after failing sobriety tests and police allegedly also found marijuana and drug paraphernalia on the floor of his car.

He appeared in court on Thursday and the judge told him that, if the accusations were true, Gilman had "behaved horribly and should feel blessed his children are safe", according to reports.

The charges against Gilman included reckless driving, operating under the influence, failure to drive at a reasonable distance, possession of drug paraphernalia, illegal sale of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, risk of injury to a minor and assault with a motor vehicle.

Gilman’s parents were with him in court and posted his bail - the equivalent of R2.4-million.
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