DAYTONA, FL — A South Carolina woman who drove her van into the ocean will face three counts of first-degree attempted murder, according to Florida authorities.
Officials said Ebony Wilkerson's son tried to fight her for the steering wheel while she drove into the ocean.
Authorities said Wilkerson, who is pregnant, drove the vehicle with her three children -- ages 10 , 9 and 3 -- into the water just before 5 p.m.
Tim Teseneer, a volunteer firefighter in Rutherfordton, was on vacation driving on Daytona Beach with his wife and two children Tuesday when they saw the minivan in the water and the waves pounding on the doors.
At first, he thought the driver was joking, but then he heard a frightening sound.
"I heard them yelling for help," Teseneer said.
Teseneer said his natural instincts kicked in. He took off running.
He was the first person to get to the minivan and he said he tried to convince the woman to turn around.
Teseneer said the children's screams shook him to his core.
“The boy said our mom is trying to kill us,” Teseneer said.
Wilkerson is in custody and on her way to jail, police said.
WSBTV
