Swan Boat Club Tragedy: MI v. Marie Chidester — Day One

Marshella Chidester, 66, was allegedly intoxicated when she crashed into the Swan Boat Club in Berlin Township on April 20, 2024. Chidester slammed her car into the Swan Boat Club, where a child's birthday party was taking place. The crash resulted in the deaths of 8-year-old Alanah Phillips and her 4-year-old brother, Zayn Phillips, with 15 other individuals injured. Chidester claimed she passed out and has experienced seizures. She also admitted to drinking “a little bit.”

She faces two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing death, and four counts of operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing serious injury.

Was the defendant drunk, or did she have a medical issue?