According to the sheriff and prosecutors, Marshella Chidester, 66, reportedly crashed into a building at the Swan Creek Boat Club in Newport on Saturday afternoon. Her car ended up about 25 feet inside the building.
Monroe County Prosecuting Attorney Jeffery Yorkey confirmed the devastating news that two young siblings, an 8-year-old girl and her 4-year-old brother, tragically lost their lives.
According to Yorkey, the mother and 11-year-old brother of the victims sustained severe injuries.
According to the prosecutor, a 14-year-old boy and an 18-year-old woman sustained severe injuries as well.
Tears streamed down the aunt’s face as she recounted the heartbreaking moment when she had to break the devastating news to her sister. “I was the one who had to tell her that her babies were gone,” she said, her voice filled with sorrow. Her sister’s heart-wrenching question echoed in her ears, “How am I supposed to live without my babies?”
She added that her nephew and sister are still fighting for their lives.
According to Yorkey, Childester faces charges for two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of operating a vehicle while intoxicated resulting in death, and four counts of operating a vehicle while intoxicated resulting in serious injury.
Chidester faced his arraignment on Tuesday and is scheduled to appear in court again on April 30th.