2 dead and 14 injured after drunk driver allegedly hits family walking on street

A pregnant mother of four has been charged with multiple offenses, including drunken driving, after authorities said she collided with a group of relatives walking on the side of the road in Michigan, killing two men and injuring 14 other people before fleeing the scene.

Johnathan Esch, 30, and Daniel Harris, 42, were pronounced dead at the scene, the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement opinion Monday. A 38-year-old woman remains hospitalized in critical condition, and five other people remained hospitalized, although their injuries were not considered life-threatening, sheriff’s officials said. The victims, including eight children, are between 2 and 61 years old.

The group was on its way to visit other family members’ grandparents when they were struck in Watertown Township, northwest of Lansing, around 6:30 p.m., authorities said.

The driver, Ashley Monroe, 35, was alone in the car when she was stopped by officers about three miles from the scene, sheriff’s officials said in a statement. Statement Saturday evening. Investigators said they found an open, “mostly empty” bottle of whiskey in her purse in the car. According to tests conducted at the prison, her blood alcohol content was 0.183, more than twice the legal limit, authorities said.

Monroe is charged with 11 felonies related to allegations that she caused a fatal hit-and-run while under the influence of alcohol. The charges include two counts of driving while under the influence of alcohol resulting in death, two counts of failure to stop at the scene of an accident resulting in death, six counts of driving while under the influence of alcohol resulting in serious bodily harm and one count of failure to stop at the scene of an accident resulting in serious impairment or death.

Prosecutors said Monday that more charges could be filed. The sheriff’s office said the investigation was ongoing.

According to court documents read by the judge, the officer who stopped Monroe minutes after the crash said he saw her drive off the roadway, through the grass and then over the center guardrail.

“Her car was found with severe damage to the passenger side, consistent with witness statements, as well as blood, hair and other tissue on her vehicle,” Assistant District Attorney Debra Martinez said at Monroe’s arraignment, which was streamed by WILX TV And WLNS TV in Lansing.

Monroe works full-time as an employee in the Michigan Secretary of State’s office, her attorney Ronald Zawacki told the court. She lives with her fiancé and children, ages 1, 7, 11 and 13, he said, and has no criminal record.

Esch was a firefighter and paramedic with the Lansing Township Fire Department. In January the LTDD Wedding photos posted on Facebook from him and his “beautiful bride Erika” congratulates the couple on their wedding.

“We wish you many, many happy years,” the fire department wrote. “Erika, welcome to the LTDD family.”

Erika Esch was also injured in the accident. WILX reported.

Daniel Harris was married and had four children, the West Lansing Church of Christ said Donations are accepted so that families can help cover medical and other costs. A Community prayer vigil The service was scheduled to take place in the church on Wednesday evening.

The judge set Monroe’s bail at $1 million, double the amount requested by prosecutors. Her next court date is scheduled for May 30.

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