A drunk driver has been charged with murder after crashing into a Michigan store where a children's birthday party was being held, killing two young siblings, authorities said Tuesday.
Marcella Chidester, 66, crashed into the Swan Boat Club building in Berlin Charter Township Saturday around 3 p.m. Monroe County Sheriff Troy Goodnow told reporters Saturday that the vehicle stopped about 20 feet inside the party.
At Tuesday's arraignment hearing, Chidester was charged with two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of DUI causing death, and four counts of DUI causing serious injury. Her bond was set at $1.5 million. If she is convicted, Chidester could be sentenced to up to life in prison.
Zane Phillips, 5, and his sister Alana Phillips, 8, were pronounced dead at the scene, Goodnow said in an update Monday. Authorities have not said whether the party was for either child.
A third brother survived with “severe injuries,” said Andrew Brody, superintendent of Flat Rock Community Schools, the area's public school district.
At her arraignment, Chidester's attorney, Bill Kolobos, said she had a history of epileptic seizures in her legs and lost control of her car when she crashed. The client also said she had only had one glass of wine in the four hours before the accident, according to a search warrant executed at the bar where she was allegedly present.
“This is not a monster,” Kolovos said of his client, adding that he has no criminal history. “What happened is horrible. It's absolutely terrible. I have two children. It's absolutely terrible. But there are some things we can't control.”
Chidester appeared in court wearing a black and white striped prison uniform with his right arm in a cast.
Monroe County Prosecuting Attorney Jeffrey A. Yawkey disputed claims that Ms. Chidester suffered a seizure during the accident, saying, “Her blood alcohol level was well above the legal limit.” He did not mention her blood alcohol level.
“There is no indication in the evidence we have found in this case that the defendant was having a seizure at the time of the incident,” Yawkey said during the hearing.
“She had a seizure problem, was on medication and claimed she shouldn't have been drinking, but admitted she had been drinking that day,” Mr Yawkey said.
A woman who identified herself as Zane and Alana's grandmother spoke at the arraignment and accused Chidester of drunk driving.
“She chose to drink and drive and took our grandchildren from us,” the woman said.
A woman who identified herself as the aunt of the two children said she was at the scene of the accident and witnessed the final moments of her niece and nephew.
“They attended that birthday party having a great time,” she said. “They were sitting at that table eating, and this woman drove her car into this building and destroyed all of our lives. Not just my family, but everyone else that was in that building. too.”
She says her other nephew and sister, the children's mother, were injured in the accident and are still fighting for their lives.
“When she was taken off the ventilator yesterday, I had to tell my sister that her baby was gone,” the woman said. “She said, 'How am I going to live without my baby?'”
“No one should have to go to a birthday party thinking they're going to die,” she said through tears.
Goodnow announced Saturday that about 13 other people were injured in the accident. Nine of the people, ranging in age from 11 to 66, were hospitalized, according to the Monroe County Sheriff's Office.
Five people remain in critical condition, including an 11-year-old boy, a 14-year-old boy, a 16-year-old girl, an 18-year-old woman and a 31-year-old woman.
The other four victims, aged between 57 and 70, suffered minor injuries. A 42-year-old man also sustained minor injuries and was treated on his own.
Chidester's next court appearance is scheduled for April 30th.
