Current:Home > NewsMichigan woman to stand trial in crash that killed young brother and sister at birthday party -ValueCore
Michigan woman to stand trial in crash that killed young brother and sister at birthday party
View
Date:2025-04-17 16:26:10
A Michigan woman has been ordered to stand trial in a crash that killed two siblings and injured several other people who were at a boat club to celebrate a child’s birthday.
Marshella Chidester, 66, was bound over Thursday to Monroe County Circuit Court on two counts of second-degree murder and other charges in the April 20 crash at the Swan Boat Club in Berlin Township, about 30 miles (48 kilometers) south of Detroit.
Authorities have said Chidester was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash. A deputy testified Thursday during Chidester’s preliminary examination in Monroe County District Court that a blood test at a hospital after the crash revealed her blood alcohol content was 0.18. The legal limit in Michigan for operating a vehicle is 0.08.
Deputies said Chidester told them she was headed to a birthday party at the boat club. She told one deputy that she had “passed out” while driving.
Surveillance video played Thursday showed a SUV barreling along an unpaved road leading to the boat club, then crashing into the building. After authorities arrived, police bodycam video showed the SUV stopped against a counter or wall as several injured people were being treated by first responders.
Monroe County sheriff’s deputy Steven Schmidt testified that the scene was chaotic. “There were injured people everywhere,” he said, adding that a small child who appeared not to be breathing was on the ground.
Killed were 8-year-old Alanah Phillips and her 4-year-old brother, Zayn Phillips. Their mother, Mariah Dodds, and another sibling were among the injured.
Dodd testified that the party was for the 3-year-old child of a friend.
Defense attorney Bill Colovos argued against the second-degree murder charges, saying there was no testimony that Chidester operated her vehicle with intent to cause the deaths.
He said during Chidester’s arraignment in April that she only had a glass of wine and a bowl of chili four hours before the crash, and that she has suffered since November with “epileptic-type seizures in her legs.”
Prosecutor Jeff Yorkey argued at Chidester’s arraignment that she has had substance abuse issues that were corroborated by her friends and family. Yorkey also said there was no indication that Chidester suffered a seizure before the crash.
Home surveillance video recorded just prior to the crash and played in court Thursday showed Chidester holding a railing and going step-by-step from her porch, then walking slowly to her SUV, which was parked next to a garage. As she backed out from the driveway, the SUV sped in reverse around the opposite side of the garage and slammed into a neighbor’s parked vehicle. The SUV then accelerated forward, past the garage, driveway and down the road.
Detective Sgt. Jeff Hooper testified that Chidester’s home is about 500 feet from the boat club near Lake Erie.
Chidester’s circuit court arraignment is scheduled for July 12.
———————————
Williams reported from West Bloomfield, Michigan.
veryGood! (486)
Related
- In ‘Nickel Boys,’ striving for a new way to see
- Holiday shopping: Find the best gifts for Beyoncé fans, from the official to the homemade
- Vanderpump Rules Alum Raquel Leviss Makes First Red Carpet Appearance Since Scandoval
- Louisiana granted extra time to draw new congressional map that complies with Voting Rights Act
- Trump's 'stop
- Romanian guru suspected of running international sex sect handed preliminary charges with 14 others
- Why Ian Somerhalder, Josh Hartnett and More Stars Have Left Hollywood Behind
- Jim Harbaugh set for $1.5 million in bonuses after Michigan beats Iowa for Big Ten title
- Will the 'Yellowstone' finale be the last episode? What we know about Season 6, spinoffs
- 20 Kick-Ass Secrets About Charlie's Angels Revealed
Ranking
- The White House is cracking down on overdraft fees
- Logan Sargeant, the only American F1 driver, getting another shot in 2024 after tough rookie year
- Strong earthquake that sparked a tsunami warning leaves 1 dead amid widespread panic in Philippines
- Militants open fire at a bus in northern Pakistan, killing 9 people including 2 soldiers
- Backstage at New York's Jingle Ball with Jimmy Fallon, 'Queer Eye' and Meghan Trainor
- Judge rejects Trump's motion to dismiss 2020 federal election interference case
- 'House of the Dragon' Season 2 first look: new cast members, photos and teaser trailer
- 'Wait Wait' for December 2, 2023: With Not My Job guest Dakota Johnson
Recommendation
'Malcolm in the Middle’ to return with new episodes featuring Frankie Muniz
Michigan vs Alabama, Washington vs. Texas in College Football Playoff; unbeaten Florida St left out
Feeling alone? 5 tips to create connection and combat loneliness
Florida Republican chairman won’t resign over rape allegation, saying he is innocent
Are Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp down? Meta says most issues resolved after outages
7 suspected illegal miners dead, more than 20 others missing in landslide in Zambia
Party of Pakistan’s former jailed Prime Minister Imran Khan elects new head
The Pentagon says a US warship and multiple commercial ships have come under attack in the Red Sea