A Michigan woman has been ordered to stand trial in a crash that killed two siblings and injured several other people who were at a boat club to celebrate a child's birthday. Marshella Chidester, 66, was bound over Thursday to Monroe County Circuit Court on two counts of second-degree murder and other charges in the April 20 crash at the Swan Boat Club in Berlin Township, about 30 miles south of Detroit.
Authorities have said Chidester was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash. A deputy testified Thursday during Chidester's preliminary examination in Monroe County District Court that a blood test at a hospital after the crash revealed her blood alcohol content was 0.18. The legal limit in Michigan for operating a vehicle is 0.08. Deputies said Chidester told them she was headed to a birthday party at the boat club.
Detective Sgt. Jeff Hooper testified that Chidester's home is about 500 feet from the boat club near Lake Erie. Chidester's circuit court arraignment is scheduled for July 12.