A Michigan woman who crashed her car into a birthday party, killing two young children, has been identified and charged with DUI and murder.
Two siblings, Alana Phillips, 8, and Zane Phillips, 5, were killed and 14 others injured in Saturday afternoon’s tragedy at Berlin’s Swan Boat Club. FOX News reported. report.
Harrowing video footage of the incident shows a dark SUV driven by Marcella Marie Chidester, 66, of Newport, speeding through a parking lot and crashing into the boat club where a party was being held. There is.
WATCH: Multiple people injured after vehicle crashes into Swan Creek Boat Club in Berlin Township, Michigan. pic.twitter.com/IDKRjpemJc
— AZ Intel (@AZ_Intel_) April 21, 2024
Nine people were reported to have suffered “serious” injuries, including Phillips’ mother and 11-year-old brother, who were both treated for “serious injuries.”
Three teenagers, two girls and a boy are all in “serious” condition and are receiving treatment, authorities said.
Four elderly women, aged between 57 and 70, were taken to hospital and treated for minor injuries, while another injured person later sought treatment on his own.
“First responders described the scene as extremely chaotic and emotional for those directly involved and those who witnessed this horrific incident,” Monroe County Sheriff Troy Goodnow said hours after the accident. he said. Press conferenceSo he declined to name the suspect but said she was jailed.
Chidester’s identity and charges are as follows: published Tuesday press release From Monroe County Prosecuting Attorney Jeffrey A. Yawkey.
The drunk driving suspect was charged with two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of “driving under the influence causing death” and four counts of “driving under the influence causing serious injury.”
“Second-degree murder carries a maximum sentence of life in prison,” Yorkey said. “Counts 3 and 4 each carry a penalty of up to 15 years in prison and/or a fine of $2,500 to $10,000; the remaining counts each carry a penalty of up to 5 years and/or a fine of $1,000 to $5,000.”
Childester’s bail was set at $1.5 million, and he will be required to have GPS tracking and an alcohol monitoring device if he posts bail.
During Chilster’s arraignment on Tuesday, the courtroom was filled with a solemn atmosphere and tears filled the eyes of the victim’s family.
“They went to that birthday party having a great time. They were sitting at that table eating, and this woman drove her car into this building and destroyed all of our lives. I did it,” cried the aunt of the two young brothers.
“I had to tell my sister that the baby was missing,” she said through tears. “She said, ‘How am I going to live without my baby?’
“My nephew and sister are still fighting for their lives,” she added.
An 8-year-old girl and a 4-year-old were arrested Saturday at the arraignment of a 66-year-old woman accused of plowing into a child’s birthday party in Michigan, killing two brothers and injuring several others, authorities said. The boy’s aunt testified. she said. https://t.co/oJhbzkANPA pic.twitter.com/ADb6BnYdRO
— ABC News (@ABC) April 23, 2024
The brothers’ mother was identified as Mariah Dodds. detroit free pressis suing Chidester and the outlet, the bar where she drank alcohol earlier in the day. report.
Police said the suspected drunk driver had been a customer at Berna’s Tavern before the fatal crash, which Dodds named as a defendant in a lawsuit filed while she was hospitalized.
“As a human being, as a parent, can you imagine anything worse than this?” said John Marco, one of the grieving mother’s attorneys.
“The surviving members of this family will carry this with them,” he added. “This has torn our entire family apart in the most painful way imaginable.”
Another lawyer, Michael Jones, said Ms Dodds woke up in hospital with a broken right shoulder, six broken ribs, severe bruising to her pelvis, her lip sewn shut and her eyes swollen shut. It is said that
When she could speak, the first thing she asked was how the children were doing. At this time, she learned the tragic news of Zayn and Alana’s deaths and that her eldest son JP was in the ICU with broken legs, broken ribs, and a fractured skull.
Ms. Dodd’s lawsuit alleges that Berna’s Tavern overserved a woman who was clearly intoxicated, but both the family that owns the bar and Ms. Chidester’s attorney, Bill Kolovos, argue that she He said he had only had one glass of wine at the store.
Kolobos claimed on Tuesday that his client suffered a seizure in his leg. free press report.
Chidester remains in the Monroe County Jail and is scheduled to appear in court on April 30th.
