Birthday Party Crash: Michigan Woman Guilty In Death Of 2 Kids

MONROE COUNTY, MI — A Monroe County jury on Thursday found a woman guilty of murder charges after she crashed her SUV into a Monroe County building last April, killing two children and injuring multiple others.

Along with the second-degree murder charges, 67-year-old Marshella Chidester was also convicted of two counts of operating under the influence causing death and five counts of operating under the influence causing serious bodily injury.

Chidester faces up to life in prison for the second-degree murder conviction and will be sentenced on May 15. She will remain in jail until her sentencing date.

The jury returned the verdict after a four-day trial that included testimony from dozens of witnesses.

Before the crash, "it was any kid’s dream birthday party," Diane Medina, an adult guest who was injured, told the jury. "It was just magical."

The crash happened on April 20, 2024, when police said Chidester drove her SUV into the Swan Boat Club building in the 6300 block of Brancheau Road in Berlin Township.

Alanah Phillips, 8, and Zayn Phillips, 4, were killed in the crash and multiple others were injured, according to prosecutors.

Security video showed the SUV speeding along a dusty, dirt road at 44 miles per hour before slamming into the side of the building, according to prosecutors.

After the crash, prosecutors said Chidester’s blood-alcohol-content level was .18, which is more than double the legal limit in Michigan of .08. In Michigan, anyone with a BAC over .17 is considered "super drunk."

Though defense lawyers admitted Chidester had a glass of wine with chili on the day of the crash, she had been taking medication for epileptic-like seizures in her legs.

However, video footage from inside Chidester’s house on the day of the crash showed her walking around the house at various times with wine in her hand, according to a WDIV report.

Still, defense lawyers said Chidester had blacked out from a seizure while behind the wheel and didn’t remember the crash or anything leading up to it.

Bodycam footage from Monroe County Sgt. Michael Bomia showed Chidester sitting in a chair at the scene after the crash.

"I just, I passed out," Chidester told Bomia in the video.

Other police body cam footage showed Chidester speaking with a deputy while sitting in a police car. The officer asked Chidester what happened.

"I pulled into the parking lot and I thought I was driving up to the boat club, and evidently I was driving right into the building," Chidester said.