Mother Tows Children in Traffic in Plastic Wagon

Mother Tows Children in Traffic in Plastic Wagon
The roundabout where Donahue was continually circling when she was convinced to pull over. (Google Maps)
Chris Jasurek
7/16/2017
Updated:
7/16/2017

A 27-year-old Oregon woman faces child endangerment charges for tying her children’s plastic wagon to the bumper of her car and towing three young children through traffic.

The plastic trailer swerved up onto two wheels as the driver negotiated corners at 30 mph.

Alana Nicole Donahue of Springfield, Oregon, told police she was “just trying to show (her) kids a good time.”

Donahue entered a traffic circle where cars were unwilling to pass her, despite her waving them by. Eventually passing drivers convinced her to pull over into a nearby convenience store. Then a bystander called 911.

The convenience store where Alana Donahue parked and where police arrested her. (Google Maps)
The convenience store where Alana Donahue parked and where police arrested her. (Google Maps)

Donahue started with three children in the wagon: her 2-year-old daughter, 4-year-old son and an 8-year-old nephew. After the 2-year-old started crying too much, Donahue, pulled over and took the child into car. She then continued down the road with the 4- and 8-year-old still in the wagon.

At least one witness took photos and video of the incident.

Springfield Police officers said Donahue told one driver who objected to “be an adult about it.”

Donahue seemed to be truly unable to understand that there might be anything wrong with her actions.

Police said Donahue was not intoxicated. “This was indeed just bad judgment,” said Springfield Police Officer Scott McKee.

Donahue is being charged with three counts of reckless endangerment.

From NTD Television