The accident took place around 8 p.m. Thursday at the intersection of Route 47 and Gardner Road, south of Morris, Illinois. Also killed were 11-month-old Kaitlyn Jahn and 3-year-old Ryan Jahn.
Friends tell ABC7 Chicago that the 27-year-old mother was in Morris visiting her mother with her children and on her way home to Dwight when she called her husband, an on-duty firefighter, to tell him she would be home shortly.
The Grundy County sheriff's department says the driver of the car that hit the family, 43-year-old Anne Marie Getz, was driving under the influence when she ran a stop sign and caused the crash, killing the family.
The two children were ejected from their seats and taken to Morris hospital where they were pronounced dead. Amanda Jahn was pinned in the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene.
The family belonged to First Christian Church of Morris where Chuck Richardson is the pastor.
"Mandy was a beautiful young Christian woman, beautiful physically and spiritually and personally. She was the ideal young Christian lady, young mother. [She was] totally devoted to her husband and children, talented, active in the church, active with our youth program," Richardson said.
Getz is listed in serious condition at Morris hospital where Grundy County sheriff and police officers are posted outside her door. She is expected to be released Monday and has been charged with a felony DUI.
"We have evidence that has indicated to us that she was under the influence at the time of the accident, and we have consulted with the state's attorney last night, and he has indicated to us to hold her on felony DUI charges," said Grundy County Sheriff Terry Marketti.
Getz was driving with a valid license, but in February of 2002, she had a DUI. She was given a 12-month license suspension. In January of 2003, she was charged with driving while her license was suspended.
"She has prior alcohol-related violations as well as other items, criminal charges that she's had in the past," Marketti said.
The state's attorney informed Friday evening that other charges have been filed, including four counts of aggravated driving under the influence, which is a class-two felony.
Bond has been set at $1 million.
