Sidney Mother arrested for DUI with Children in Car

SIDNEY — Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol have arrested a Sidney woman after a pursuit early Monday morning.

At approximately 2:10 a.m. on January 1, 2024, an on-duty trooper was on 6th Avenue when they were almost rear-ended by a GMC Terrain. The trooper then made contact with the driver of the GMC and could detect the strong odor of alcohol. The trooper also saw what appeared to be a child in the backseat of the vehicle. The trooper attempted to conduct a standard DUI investigation, but the driver refused to comply, accelerated, and then fled. The trooper initiated a pursuit.

The vehicle fled on residential streets in Sidney, with speeds reaching approximately 50 miles per hour. The suspect started traveling westbound on Highway 30 through Sidney and after approximately two miles, ran out of fuel and came to a complete stop. Troopers were able to take the driver into custody and found two young children in the backseat, with neither in car seats or using seat belts.

The 27 year-old driver, Karla Fernandez of Sidney, was arrested for child endangerment, flight to avoid arrest, driving under the influence of alcohol .15+, and obstructing a peace officer.

Fernandez was lodged in the Cheyenne County Jail and the children were placed with family.