ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – A mother is facing several charges after a multi-vehicle crash Monday morning along Interstate 270 that left two of her children fighting for their lives.

Police said the woman caused the crash, left the scene, and may have been under the influence.

According to court documents, Courtney Brown, 27, was stopped on eastbound I-270 west of Missouri Route 367 when the vehicle behind her swerved to avoid impact, but hit Brown’s vehicle as it went around. A second driver collided with Brown and pushed her vehicle, which led to a third car striking Brown’s vehicle.

Brown then got out of the car and began walking westbound, according to officials. Her two children, a 3 and 8 year old, were found unbuckled in the front seat, unconscious.

Officers located Brown a mile away and demanded she return to the scene. She was then arrested.

Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers noticed Brown had watery, bloodshot eyes, a relaxed demeanor, slow movements, and confused speech. Upon testing at the hospital, Brown was found to have cannabis and amphetamines in her system.

Brown’s children were transported to the hospital for serious injuries, and are currently intubated, according to records.

All three victim drivers had damage worth over $1,000 to their vehicles.

“Courtney Brown was charged [Monday] with seven felonies and one misdemeanor: two counts of DWI, resulting in serious physical injury; two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, resulting in serious physical injury; three felony counts of leaving the scene of an accident, and one misdemeanor count of operating a motor vehicle without a valid license fee,” St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Melissa Price Smith said.

Brown is currently being held under a $100,000 bond. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 2.

Brown’s neighbors are stunned and hope this serves as a wake up call.

“You never know what a person is going through mentally to leave their kids,” James Brown said. “So, I just pray for the situation, because you just never know what they are going through in life to make them do that.”