Michigan Woman, Marshella Chidester to Stand Trial for Double Homicide in Drunken Birthday Party Crash

Marshella Chidester, a 66-year old Michigan woman appeared in court on June 27, 2024 for a Preliminary Hearing after being charged with two counts of Second Degree Murder, two counts of Driving Under the Influence causing death, and four counts of Driving Under the Influence Causing Injury.

Mrs. Chidester is accused of crashing a birthday party killing two children and injuring multiple others at the Swan Boat Club in Monroe County.

Alanah Phillips (8) and her younger brother, Zayn Phillips (4) died on the scene.

Video footage obtained by law enforcement captures the incident in real time as Mrs. Chidester’s vehicle approaches the boat club through a parking lot at a high rate of speed and plows through the side of the building where families gathered to celebrate a child’s birthday.

William Schmidt, a neighbor, captured the footage from his video surveillance on the roof facing his driveway in sight of the boat club just feet away from his home and his cell phone.

Mr. Schmidt testified at the Preliminary Hearing that he “heard a loud bang” and proceeded to go outside to check it out while going to walk his dog.

He further informed the court that he observed the large hole on the side of the boat club and initially believed the incident was caused by some kids.

He decided to take out his cell phone and record as he approached observing the smoke cloud and loud screams coming from inside.

He entered the boat club through the hole in the building and recorded the footage of party attendees lifting up the car, a 2017 Ford Edge and scrambling to remove debris in an effort to rescue children trapped under and behind the wreckage.

Little Alanah Phillips was found near the passenger side tire pinned against the wall or door frame between the pavilion and the walkway.  Zayn Phillips was pinned between the front driver side tire and the wall, according to police testimony.

Both Alanah and Zayn died on the scene.
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Marshella Chidester was bound over to the 38th Circuit Court for trial. 

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