Authorities in Michigan have released the name and photo of the suspect police say crashed his car into a boat club Saturday, killing two children and injuring nearly a dozen others.
Marcella Marie Chidester, 66, of Newport, was charged Tuesday with two counts of second-degree murder, according to a press release from the Monroe County Prosecutor’s Office. She was also charged with two counts of DUI causing death and four counts of DUI causing serious bodily injury.
On Saturday afternoon, authorities received a report of a driver crashing into the Swan Boat Club in the Berlin area. A birthday party was being held in the building at the time of the accident.
The car crashed 25 feet into the boat club, killing Alana Phillips, 8, and Zane Phillips, 5. The two were brothers.
A car crashes into a Michigan boat club hosting a children’s birthday party, killing two children and injuring several others.
Marchella Marie Chidester, 66, was charged Tuesday with second-degree murder in the Swan Boat Club car crash in the Berlin, Michigan area. (Monroe County Prosecutor’s Office/FOX 2 Detroit)
Nine people were seriously injured and taken to a local hospital for treatment. Authorities said yesterday that a 31-year-old woman and an 11-year-old boy were being treated for serious injuries. The children’s aunt said the two victims were identified as Philip and his wife’s mother and brother.
Authorities also said a 16-year-old girl, a 14-year-old boy and an 18-year-old woman are all in “serious” condition and are currently receiving treatment.
Four women, aged between 57 and 70, were taken to hospital with minor injuries, while a 10th victim was treated on her own.
At a press conference hours after the tragedy occurred, monroe county Sheriff Troy Goodnow tearfully described the horrific scene.
“First responders said earlier that the scene was extremely chaotic and emotions were extremely high among those directly involved and those who witnessed this horrific incident,” he said.
Chilling surveillance video shows the moment Michigan driver plows into birthday party, killing two children
Disturbing footage shows the brief moments before a drunk driver plows into the Swan Boat Club in Michigan on Saturday. (Paul Schmidt)
“The Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate this incident to ensure the identification of all those injured or who witnessed this incident,” the Sheriff’s Office said in a press release Monday. “We will update the public as further information develops.”
Chidester’s murder charge carries a maximum sentence of life in prison, officials said. The DUI and manslaughter charges each carry penalties of up to 15 years in prison, and the other charges carry up to five years in prison. If convicted, Chidester’s fine could range from $1,000 to $10,000.
After the incident, Chidester was transported to the Monroe County Jail. She is being held on $1.5 million bail. Her next court appearances are scheduled for April 30th and May 6th.
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office identified the two children killed as Alana Phillips, 8, and Zane Phillips, 4. (FOX 2 Detroit)
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Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is asked to call the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office at 734-240-7530.
