Michigan drunk driver accused of killing 2 children in boat club crash released after posting $1.5M bond
NEWPORT, MICHIGAN: The 66-year-old suspect in the drunk driving accident in Monroe County that left two children dead and numerous others injured posted her $1.5 million bond on Thursday, April 25.
According to the Monroe County inmate information and court roster website, Marshella Chidester was released from prison on after paying the cash/surety bond five days after her arrest.
Marshella Chidester hired a bail bondsman to pay the full amount
According to FOX 2's report from the Monroe County Sheriff's Office, Chidester employed a bail bondsman to cover the entire sum.
When Marshella Chidester, 66, crashed at the Swan Boat Club in Berlin Township on Saturday afternoon, April 20, at around 3 pm, while a children's birthday celebration was taking place inside, according to the police, she was intoxicated.
Zayn, 8 and Lana, 9, died in the collision, while their mother Mariah Dodds and her third child were injured. As a result of the collision, Dodds sustained severe bruises, a collapsed lung, and broken ribs.
She spent days on the ventilator before she was recently taken off of it.
Marshella Chidester's lawyer claimed she consumed one glass of wine
Chidester was accused of driving while intoxicated, in addition to second-degree homicide charges. Chidester entered 25 feet into the building when she struck the side of the boat club, according to the Monroe County Sheriff.
Chidester had gone to a bar earlier in the day and then drove to the boat club. At her Tuesday, April 23 arraignment, her lawyer contended that a search warrant had shown she had consumed just one glass of wine before leaving for home.
Chidester drove to the boat club after that, according to defense lawyer Bill Colovos, because she had been invited to the birthday celebration that she would later crash into.
Internet asks 'What judge would allow bond to this woman?'
After the news od Chidester getting released from jail went viral on Facebook, the internet users started reacting to it. A user questioned, "What judge would allow bond to this woman??"
Another "angry" user added along with the victim's picture, "These siblings…. GONE. And this girl got bond?! Ugh this makes me so ANGRY!"
"She should have stayed in jail," wrote third commentator. "Shouldn't be bond," fourth person claimed.
This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.
