In a devastating incident at the Swan Boat Club that claimed the lives of two children and caused multiple injuries, Marshella Chidester, a 66-year-old woman, is facing several charges after her blood-alcohol content (BAC) was found to be more than twice the legal limit. During a preliminary examination on Thursday, a Monroe County sheriff's deputy revealed that Chidester's BAC registered at .18, surpassing Michigan's legal limit of .08.

The shocking revelation came to light as the court reviewed bodycam footage from two deputies who interviewed Chidester after the crash. In the video, she admitted to consuming alcohol and expressed reluctance about driving. Chidester disclosed that she had passed out, had a history of seizures, and was taking medication for them.

When questioned about her alcohol consumption, Chidester initially acknowledged having had "a little bit" to drink, with her last sip occurring approximately 30 minutes before the incident. In a separate bodycam video, a deputy asked Chidester to assess her level of intoxication on a scale of 0 to 10. She responded with a concerning "7" and firmly stated that she would not have allowed herself to drive.

Chidester now faces eight charges, including two counts of second-degree murder, following the tragic events of April 20. Prosecutors allege that she was intoxicated at the time of the crash when she drove her car into the Swan Boat Club, killing siblings Zayn and Alanah Phillips, aged 4 and 8 respectively. More than a dozen others were also injured in the tragic incident.

After hours of testimony, the judge concluded that there was sufficient evidence to proceed to trial, and Chidester was bound over on all charges. This tragic case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of impaired driving and the importance of adhering to legal limits to ensure the safety of all individuals on the road.

The trial will now progress, seeking justice for the victims and their families, while also shining a light on the urgent need for stricter measures to curb drunk driving incidents and protect innocent lives from such heart-wrenching tragedies.