Mom of siblings killed in Monroe County boat club crash sues suspect, tavern
The mother of two children killed in the Monroe County tragedy has sued the woman who was arrested after police say she was driving drunk and plowed into a birthday party at a boat club.
Mariah Dodds also sued Verna's Tavern in Monroe County Circuit Court on Monday. Police say the accused, Marshella Chidester, was a customer there earlier in the day before the crash about 3 p.m. Saturday that killed two siblings, ages 4 and 8, along with injuring about a dozen others.
Dodds survived. So did her 11-year-old son. Both are hospitalized.
"Can you imagine anything worse than that as a human being, as a parent?" said Jon Marko, one of Dodds' attorneys.
Dodds and her surviving son's family relationship is now "destroyed," as they witnessed the crash that killed their loved ones, the lawsuit states.
Chidester’s lawyer, Bill Colovos, said Tuesday that his client suffered seizures in her legs and only had one glass of wine the day of the crash.
No one answered the door at Chidester's home Monday morning when a reporter visited. She lives on Brancheau Street in Newport, which is less than 200 yards from the boat club. She lives there with her husband, according to property records.
The lawsuit, filed by Dodds and her son, identified in the lawsuit as "J.P.," accuses Chidester of gross negligence. Chidester is alleged to have driven into the north wall of the boat club fast enough to go about 25 feet inside the building until her vehicle stopped. A witness previously told the Free Press he thought he could see children lining up for cake inside.
The witness described a loud crash that could be heard numerous houses down the gravel road, and the screams of children and adults that followed.
Dodds' attorney, Michael Jones, said the last thing his client remembers before she and her children were hit by the SUV was getting food for them. They were about to sit down to eat at a round table.
"The surviving members of this family are going to carry this with them," Marko said. "This has torn the entire family apart in the most unimaginable, painful way."
Dodds woke up in the hospital. Jones said she suffered a broken bone in her right shoulder, six broken ribs, severe pelvic bruising, stitched-up lips and an eye swollen shut. She also has difficulty breathing.
The first thing Dodds did was ask about her children, Marko said.
She was told two of her children, Zayn Phillips and Alanah Phillips, were killed. Her eldest, "J.P.," was in the ICU after undergoing seven hours of surgery. Both of his legs were broken, ribs were broken and he has fractured skull.
She screamed, Marko said.
On Tuesday morning, Chidester was charged with eight crimes, including two counts of second-degree homicide. Monroe County Prosecutor Jeffery Yorkey asked for a $1.5 million cash bond, pointing to a history of "severe substance abuse" allegedly corroborated by friends and family of Chidester.
Chidester had been an officer of the boat club, acting as a commodore for the group. Her mother was a charter member of the club, according to the mother's 2006 obituary.
Chidester worked at DTE as a manager at Fermi 2, as a strategic buyer, according to her LinkedIn page and the Monroe News. A spokesperson for the utility said she left the company nine years ago.
"We’re devastated by the tragedy at the Swan Boat Club," said spokesperson Stephen Tait in an email. "Many of our DTE family live in the community and have children who are schoolmates of those who lost their life. All of us at DTE join our neighbors, friends and community in mourning this tragedy."
Chidester graduated from Newport’s Jefferson High School in 1975, later attending Siena Heights University and getting a master's of business administration from Davenport University, Dearborn, according to an archived story in the Monroe News.
More: Child, woman in critical condition in aftermath of Monroe County boat club crash
More: Driver in suspected DUI crash that killed 2 children may have left Monroe County tavern earlier
The lawsuit argues that Verna's Tavern is also liable. The bar allegedly sold Chidester alcohol while visibly intoxicated, according to the lawsuit, and she continued drinking until she left the bar and ultimately crashed.
Verna's Tavern should have stopped selling Chidester alcohol and should have provided alternate transportation to her home, the lawsuit argues.
Sheriff's deputies briefly closed Verna's Tavern after the crash as part of the crash investigation.
The tavern's attorney, John McManus, of Royal Oak, could not immediately be reached for comment.In an email to the Free Press, Angie Huffman, who said that her mother owns Verna’s, confirmed the suspect was there at 11 a.m., had a glass of wine and a bowl of soup, adding that she's confident the investigation will show the restaurant is "not at fault."
Free Press staff writers Frank Witsil and Christine MacDonald contributed to this report.
Andrea Sahouri covers criminal justice for the Detroit Free Press. She can be contacted at 313-264-0442 or asahouri@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Mom of siblings killed in Monroe County boat club crash sues suspect
