Warminster Mom Charged In DUI Death Of Son

A Warminster mother who authorities say was under the influence of drugs and alcohol when she crashed her car earlier this month, killing her 8-year-old son, has been charged with homicide by vehicle while DUI and related charges, the Bucks County District Attorney's office announced Tuesday.

Authorities say Kelly Colbridge, 37, was driving with a BAC at more than twice the legal limit on April 7 when she lost control of her Dodge Avenger, crashing head-on into another car. Her 8-year-old son, who was riding in the back seat at the time, later died from head and neck injuries sustained in the crash.

According to police, the pair was driving home from a party at the popular Bowlero spot, where Colbridge told investigators she had a "few drinks." Colbridge told investigators the last thing she remembers is talking on the phone in a hands-free mode. The next thing she recalls, according to an affidavit of probable cause, is being pulled from the wreckage.

The crash happened around 9:30 p.m. along the 300 block of Street Road, in the area of Davisville Church. Authorities say Colbridge crashed head-on into oncoming traffic.

The boy, identified as Daniel Klaus, was found unconscious at the scene. He was flown to CHOP following the crash and succumbed to his injuries on April 10, police said.

RELATED: GoFundMe Disappears Hours After Mom Charged In Son's DUI Death

According to an affidavit of probable cause prepared by the Upper Southampton Police Department, Colbridge yelled to officers who arrived at the scene, "help me, get me out of here," and did not tell police her 8-year-old child was in the backseat. The affidavit said responding officers were not aware a child was in the car until they looked in the back and saw him in critical condition.

A subsequent investigation revealed Colbridge had been at the party at Bowlero in Feasterville, where she admitted to having a "few drinks," the affidavit said. As they got in the car and drove toward their home in Warminster, Colbridge said she called her boyfriend on the phone in hands-free mode just before the crash.

Her blood was drawn upon her arrival to St. Mary hospital. The results revealed her BAC was .168 percent and that she had Clonazepam in her blood, as well as and Meprobamate, a muscle relaxing agent that could further impair the ability to operate a car safely, the affidavit said.

In a search of Colbridge's car after the crash, police also found a small amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

John Burns, the driver of the other car involved in the crash, told authorities he was coming home from a party in Warminster when Colbridge's car "veered directly in his path," the affidavit said. Burns and his wife were injured in the crash.

In addition to the homicide by vehicle while DUI charge, Colbridge is facing charges of homicide by vehicle, aggravated assault by vehicle while DUI, aggravated assault by vehicle, DUI, reckless endangerment and related charges.

Colbridge was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge William J. Benz Tuesday. A preliminary hearing is tentatively scheduled for May 10. Bail was set at $100,000 unsecured, pending a bail hearing when Colbridge is released from a medical facility.

Photos of the crash scene were shared by Tri-Hampton Rescue Squad: