MONROE, Mich. – A 67-year-old woman has been sentenced to at least 25 years in prison for a Michigan drunk driving crash that killed two children during a birthday party at a Michigan boat club in 2023.
Marshella Chidester was convicted of second-degree murder for driving her SUV into the Swan Boat Club near Lake Erie, killing 8-year-old Alanah Phillips and her 4-year-old brother Zayn Phillips.
Parents Describe Unbearable Grief
During Thursday’s sentencing, the children’s mother, Mariah Dodds, gave a heartbreaking statement.
“That grief has been unbearable. … She took everything in my life and destroyed it,” Dodds said through tears, just feet from the woman who killed her children.
Michigan Drunk Driving Crash Captured on Security Footage
The Michigan Drunk Driving Crash Video evidence played during the trial showed Chidester’s SUV speeding at 44 mph (71 kph) along a rough, dusty road before slamming into the side of the Swan Boat Club, about 30 miles south of Detroit.
Chidester’s blood-alcohol level was found to be more than twice the legal limit to drive, prosecutors said.
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Defense Blames Medical Issue—Jury Disagrees
Chidester’s defense attorney argued that a leg problem may have caused her to press harder on the accelerator, suggesting the crash was unintentional. The jury rejected that argument following a four-day trial in Monroe County.
Given her age, the 25-year minimum sentence effectively means Chidester could die in prison before becoming eligible for parole.
Michigan Drunk Driving Crash: A Community Connection Now Tainted
Chidester had long-standing ties to the Swan Boat Club. Her attorney noted that her father founded the club, she once served as commodore, and even held her wedding reception there.
In court, Chidester expressed remorse.
“I’ve asked the Lord to forgive me, and I ask you to at least look into your heart and at some point if you can possibly forgive me, I would appreciate that so much,” she said.
The sentencing marks the conclusion of a case that shook the local community and serves as a somber reminder of the consequences of impaired driving.
