Monroe woman sentenced in birthday party crash that killed 2 children

Marshella Chidester has been sentenced to prison for a drunk driving crash that resulted in the deaths of two children, Zayn and Alanah Phillips, at the Swan Boat Club. The incident occurred in April 2024 during a birthday party, with Chidester’s blood alcohol level at 0.18, significantly above the legal limit. The case concluded with emotional victim impact statements, as the children’s father addressed Chidester, highlighting the devastating effect on their family and sparking community discussions on the dangers of drunk driving and the enforcement of DUI laws.