Marshella Chidester Sentenced 25-50 Years Prison Swan Boat Club Crash Killing Two Children

Marshella Chidester, 67, was sentenced to 25 to 50 years in prison after being found guilty of two counts of second-degree murder and several counts of operating while intoxicated causing death and injury, following her April 2024 crash into the Swan Boat Club in Berlin Township, Michigan. The crash killed two siblings, Alanah (8) and Zayn Phillips (4), and injured 15 others during a children's birthday party. The jury deliberated less than two hours before delivering a guilty verdict, with evidence including Chidester's blood alcohol content of .18—over twice the legal limit—and surveillance footage of her with alcohol the morning of the crash. Family members of the victims spoke emotionally about their loss and the trauma endured by survivors. Chidester's legal team has changed since the trial, and her new counsel is expected to pursue an appeal. The case has brought significant emotional impact to the victims’ family and highlighted issues of drunk driving accountability.