A Michigan woman has been arraigned on multiple charges, including second-degree murder, after prosecutors alleged that she crashed her SUV into a boat club hosting a child’s birthday party while intoxicated. The tragic incident claimed the lives of two young siblings and injured several other individuals. Marshella Chidester, 66, was presented in court with eight counts related to the crash that occurred at the Swan Boat Club in Monroe County, approximately 30 miles south of Detroit. During the livestreamed hearing, Chidester’s right arm was evident in a cast. She has been detained since the crash, and the judge presiding over the case set her bail at $1.5 million, as requested by prosecutors. The decision aligned with pleas from family members of the victims. Prosecutor Jeff Yorkey emphasized Chidester’s history of substance abuse, confirmed by both friends and family, as a basis for the substantial bail amount. However, Chidester’s defense attorney, Bill Colovos, argued otherwise. He claimed that his client had only consumed a glass of wine and a bowl of chili approximately four hours prior to the accident. Furthermore, he presented evidence of Chidester’s ongoing struggles with seizures, specifically in her legs, since November. Colovos emphasized Chidester’s lack of previous traffic violations or criminal record. However, Yorkey countered that there were no indications of a seizure preceding the crash. Furthermore, blood tests revealed that Chidester’s blood alcohol level significantly exceeded the legal limit. If successful in posting bail, Chidester will be subject to several conditions, including surrendering her passport, abstaining from alcohol, wearing an electronic monitoring device, and refraining from driving. A probable cause conference is scheduled for April 30th, followed by a preliminary examination on May 6th. According to the Detroit News, Chidester held the former position of commodore at the boat club. The victims of the crash were identified as 8-year-old Alanah Phillips and her 4-year-old brother, Zayn Phillips. Their mother, Mariah Dodds, and another sibling were among the injured. The party was organized to celebrate the birthday of a 3-year-old child, the friend of Dodds, according to a Detroit law firm representing the family in a lawsuit against Chidester and the establishment where she allegedly consumed alcohol before the crash. Dodds sustained injuries including broken ribs, a collapsed lung, cuts, and bruises, as detailed by the law firm. Her surviving son endured broken legs, broken ribs, and a fractured skull. Raquel Smouthers, the aunt of the deceased children, provided a heart-wrenching account to the court, describing the moment when Chidester’s car crashed into the building. “They were sitting at that table eating, and this woman crashed her car through this building destroying all of our lives,” an inconsolable Smouthers expressed. “Nobody should ever have to go to a birthday party thinking that they’re gonna die.”” The Swan Boat Club, situated near Lake Erie, is a membership-based organization that hosts events like holiday parties and provides docking spaces for members who own boats. The club’s website also highlights the availability of its clubhouse and pavilion for rent for private events, including birthday celebrations.
Drunken Crash at Michigan Boat Club Kills Two Children, Injures Several
