Drunk driver who killed siblings, 8 and 4, at birthday party tells grief-stricken family she’d ‘appreciate’ forgiveness as she learns fate

A drunk driver who killed two young siblings when she plowed her SUV into a Michigan children’s birthday party told the grief-stricken family she’d “appreciate” their forgiveness as she learned her fate in court this week.

Marshella Chidester, 67, was handed a 25- to 50-year prison sentence Thursday for the deadly crash that killed 8-year-old Alanah Phillips and her 4-year-old brother, Zayn. 

Her blood-alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit when she crashed 25 feet through Swan Creek Boat Club in Newport, where children and their parents were enjoying the birthday festivities on April 20, 2024.

“The grief has been unbearable,” Mariah Dodds, the devastated mother, told the court at sentencing. 

“She took everything in my life and destroyed it.”

Alarming footage captured the convicted boozer’s blue car darting through the club’s parking lot before slamming into and obliterating the side of the Berlin Township building.

Both children died at the scene, with the catastrophic wreck severely injuring 13 others.

“I’ve asked the Lord to forgive me,” Chidester said during her feeble plea for mercy.

“And I ask you to at least look into your heart and at some point, if you can possibly forgive me, I would appreciate that so much.”

Chidester was convicted of second-degree murder and other charges in March after a four-day trial, during which her legal team claimed that a leg injury caused her to press down hard on the gas pedal.

They further argued that she only had one glass of wine before getting behind the wheel.

Chidester will be eligible for parole in 25 years — when she’s 92 years old.

With Post wires