Young couple goes on van tour of US, boy comes back with van - no girl

I also think the cops did a good job in handling the situation ...obviously a senior cop came a long and gave the junior cop his suggestions and what had to be done by rule of law based on how the junior cop wanted to undertake the situation ...A major thing that I don't understand is why he (cop) gave the keys to someone he deemed emotionally upset/unstable and told her to drive the van (she stated she was not comfortable driving the van long distances) and then also give her a location to go get a shower to help calm down, and put him up in hotel??

Why the fork would you not put her up in a hotel and give Mr Calm the van
I mean, cos he didn't own it. But I don't understand how you are uncomfortable driving your own vehicle long distances and then take a cross country trip. She was so scared to be independent it cost her her life.