Why is my car lights popping up with Trac off, ABS, check engine, battery?

2002 chevrolet cavalier broke down faulty altenator then my Trac off light, abs light, check
engine light all lit up so jumped it. it started and when i put it in gear was hard shift then
started driving and while in drive it wouldnt go pushing the gas petal sounded as if it was in
neutral then died again. I already know I need to change altenator out, but why all a sudden
would the above  lights come? a friend came with a jumper and car started put it in gear to
drive and it shifted hard like a clank sound and rocked the car. I started driving (and I was
driving my car knowing I needed a new Altenator) . all the above was happening trying to get
my car home. I had no outside lights and the gauge lights come on, transmission while in
drive would stop  forward progress and sound as if it was in neutral then die. We would jump
it again and continued this until we got it to my home..  Would all the above happen from
bad altenator? Never had any problems with my car until now please help me!