Semi driver flees police with 2 kids in truck after accident


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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Police say a man driving a tractor trailer with his two children inside fled police, totaled four cars and eventually tried to run away with the kids.

Daytona Beach police say 30-year-old Matthew Berthel initially smashed his semi into three cars on Saturday.

A police report says Berthel fled that accident, but was stopped later and refused to get out of the truck. An officer saw a little girl poke her head out of the rear of the cab.

Berthel fled again, driving into oncoming traffic and hitting other cars, injuring drivers.

Police say Berthel eventually crashed into a ditch and dragged the kids into some woods before police caught him.

Berthel was arrested for child endangerment and other charges.

The two kids escaped serious injury, and are now with their mother.

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