Marshella Chidester: Michigan Woman Sentenced to 25-50 Years for Drunk Driving Crash That Killed Two Children at Birthday Party
Marshella Chidester, 67, has been sentenced to 25-50 years in prison for a drunk driving crash that happened in 2024
According to CBS News, the fatal incident killed two young siblings and injured more than a dozen others at a birthday party.
Chidester was convicted on multiple charges, including second-degree murder, after her vehicle plowed into the Swan Boat Club in Berlin Township, Michigan.
The crash claimed the lives of 8-year-old Alanah Phillips and 4-year-old Zayn Phillips, who were attending a child’s celebration.
A Tragic Day at the Swan Boat Club
The afternoon of April 20, 2024 began as a joyful celebration at the Swan Boat Club in Berlin Township, Michigan.
Family and friends had gathered for a child’s birthday party, but by 3 p.m., the event turned to horror.
A vehicle driven by Marshella Chidester smashed through the building’s wall at 44 mph, traveling 25 feet into the structure before coming to a stop.
According to police reports, Chidester’s car struck multiple victims during the crash, creating a devastating and extremely chaotic scene.
The force of the crash pinned 4-year-old Zayn Phillips beneath the car’s front tire, as per Detroit News
His sister, 8-year-old Alanah Phillips, was trapped between the vehicle’s bumper and a doorframe.
Despite desperate efforts from bystanders and first responders, both children died at the scene.
Crime scene investigators later concluded that Chidester hadn’t applied the brakes before the crash and that the accelerator was fully pressed down.
Aside from the two children who died at the scene, more than a dozen partygoers were injured—some of them critically.
Nine victims, including three children, were airlifted or transported by ambulance to nearby hospitals with severe injuries.
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| Chidester’s car after the crash |
Crime Scene Investigations
According to police reports, Chidester showed immediate signs of intoxication at the crime scene.
Deputies observed that she had slurred speech and unsteady movements, and a preliminary breath test showed her blood alcohol content (BAC) was 0.18—over twice the legal limit in Michigan.
Monroe County Sheriff Troy Goodnough fought back tears during an initial press conference, calling the incident "one of the most horrific crashes" he had ever seen.
"First aid was provided to approximately 15 victims, including adults and young children," Sheriff Goodnough said.
"The loss of these two innocent lives is a tragedy that has shaken our community," he added.
Security footage from her home, obtained during the police investigation, showed her drinking wine repeatedly in the hours leading up to the crash.
Investigatiors also discovered that Chidester had bought multiple bottles of wine earlier that morning, contradicting her claim that she had only consumed "one glass with lunch."
Witnesses also reported smelling alcohol on her breath immediately after the collision, suggesting she was heavily intoxicated at the time of the crash.
Marshella was arrested and faced multiple charges, including second-degree murder, however, she was released after posting bond.
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| The victims parents Brian Phillips and Mariah Dodds |
Marshella Chidester’s Trial and Sentencing
The trial of Marshella Chidester began in Monroe County Circuit Court in early March 2025, presided over by Judge Daniel White.
Prosecutors presented evidence that Chidester was legally intoxicated at the time of the crash, including blood test results showing a BAC of 0.18—more than twice Michigan’s legal limit.
The defense argued that Chidester had a history of seizures and may have experienced one at the time of the crash, possibly causing the accident.
However, no medical experts testified to support this claim.
The defense also questioned the accuracy of the blood alcohol test, suggesting that fermentation might have affected the results.
Prosecutors countered this by calling a Michigan State Police forensic scientist who testified that the blood sample was correctly handled and the BAC reading was accurate.
During the trial, it was also revealed that before Chidester crashed into the boat club near her home, she had already struck a neighbor’s fence —an early warning sign.
Tragically, instead of going back home, she chose to keep driving, a decision that led to the deadly outcome.
Mariah Dodds, the mother of the two children who died in the crash, gave an emotional testimony.
Thankfully, she survived the incident along with her eldest son.
She recalled the moment of impact, saying she had just given her kids some cake—and the next thing she remembered was waking up in a hospital.
She lost consciousness immediately the crash, as reported by Detroit News.
A store clerk also testified that Chidester had purchased multiple bottles of wine the morning of the crash.
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| Marshella Chidester |
After four days of testimony, the jury deliberated for less than two hours before finding Chidester guilty on all charges:
- Two counts of second-degree murder
- Two counts of operating while intoxicated causing death
- Five counts of operating while intoxicated causing serious injury.
At her sentencing hearing on May 15, 2025, the parents of Alanah and Zayn delivered emotional statements.
"It's hard even to wake up knowing that they're not here," said Brian Phillips, the children’s father.
"I hope every day that you realize what you took from us," he added.
Mariah Dodds, the children’s mother, who was also seriously injured in the crash, pleaded for the maximum sentence.
"I was their protector, and I should not have to feel like I failed them because of someone’s poor choices," Dodds told the court.
Chidester gave a short apology in court to the victims’ families, but many felt it wasn’t enough considering how serious the tragedy was.
"It was a terrible, terrible tragedy," she said. "I never meant to harm those children."
Before the handing down her sentence, Judge White condemned Chidester’s actions, stating, "This wasn’t just an accident—it was a crime."
He sentenced her to 25 to 50 years in prison for the second-degree murder charges, with additional consecutive sentences for the other convictions.
After the verdict, Chidester’s attorney announced plans to appeal the conviction.
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