Victim in horror DUI crash that killed two boys aged eight and five breaks her silence and speaks about horrifying incident that left 15 others injured moments after singing ‘Happy Birthday

A woman who was hit by a ‘drunk driver’ who smashed into a children’s birthday party, killing two young siblings, has recounted the horrific incident.

Diane Medina had been inside the Swan Boat Club in Berlin Township, Michigan, last Saturday, when a vehicle drove straight into the building. Medina had been at the club for a 3-year-old boy’s circus-themed birthday party when the vehicle hit her and dragged her across the room. 

Trapped under debris, the 57-year-old told the Detroit Free Press that she couldn’t breathe and that she thought she was paralyzed. 

Medina managed to say: ‘Somebody’s gotta find my grandbabies’, as panicked adults searched for their young children. 

Siblings Lana, eight, and Zayn Phillips, five, both died in the wreck while their mother, Mariah Dodds and elder brother, Jayden, are fighting for their lives.

Medina said the incident was hard for her to comprehend, with her friend Marshella Chidester, 66, now facing eight charges as the driver of the vehicle. 

Diane Medina had been inside the Swan Boat Club in Berlin Township, Michigan, last Saturday, when a vehicle drove straight into the building

Trapped under debris, the 57-year-old told the Detroit Free Press that she couldn't breathe and that she thought she was paralyzed

Trapped under debris, the 57-year-old told the Detroit Free Press that she couldn’t breathe and that she thought she was paralyzed

Lana (left) and Zayn (right), the victims of the crash, are seen alongside their older brother Jayden in an earlier family photograph

Lana (left) and Zayn (right), the victims of the crash, are seen alongside their older brother Jayden in an earlier family photograph

Speaking to the outlet from hospital, Medina said she was grateful her own grandchildren had not been injured in the crash. 

She recalled that just minutes before disaster struck, the group had sang Happy Birthday and had served cake.  Her three granddaughters Ella, Evelyn, and Alaina, had gone to the bounce house to play and remembered their smiles.

Medina said after the car careered through the party, it looked like a tornado had ripped through the building.

A father was tending to his teen daughter who was severely injured, while others screamed as they attempted to rescue Zayn.

Medina said she couldn’t see the deceased sibling’s mom, Mariah Dodds, who had been with her three children at the table beside her. 

She then watched in shock as Chidester was taken to a chair and asked: ‘What were you thinking?’, to which she replied she didn’t know.

Medina said: ‘She looked around the room and she was sitting down with a blank stare on her face. She was just staring into la-la land.’

Surveillance footage showed the suspected drunk driver swerving erratically before crashing into a boat club hosting the children's party, which injured 15

Surveillance footage showed the suspected drunk driver swerving erratically before crashing into a boat club hosting the children’s party, which injured 15

Lana, eight, and Zayn, five (seen together center) both died in the wreck, while their mother, Mariah (right), and elder brother, Jayden (left), are fighting for their lives

Lana, eight, and Zayn, five (seen together center) both died in the wreck, while their mother, Mariah (right), and elder brother, Jayden (left), are fighting for their lives 

Medina was rushed to hospital after being rescued and is being treated for three breaks in her pelvis, a broken nose, internal bleeding and a head injury. 

She has been told she can’t walk for a minimum of eight weeks, telling the Free Press  she was angry at Chidester. 

‘This isn’t the woman I know. The girl would not hurt a fly. She’s the most loving, caring, loyal, sweetest,’ Medina said. ‘I was taught never to hate somebody. That’s not in my vocabulary. I don’t hate her. I’m just angry with what she has taken away from me.

‘But I can’t wait to see her in court. I want her to see what she did to me. I want her to see what she did to her friend.’ 

Chidester appeared in court last week in an arm cast following the horrific incident, and stood accused of second-degree murder. 

Chidester has been detained since the crash, the judge granted her bond at the $1.5 million that the prosecution had asked for.

Prosecutor Jeff Yorkey said that Chidester had a history of substance misuse, which her friends and family had confirmed, in support of the $1.5 million bond.

Marshella Chidester has been accused for second-degree murder for allegedly driving her SUV into the wall of Swan Creek Boat Club where a child's birthday party was being held on Saturday

Marshella Chidester has been accused for second-degree murder for allegedly driving her SUV into the wall of Swan Creek Boat Club where a child’s birthday party was being held on Saturday

Raquel Smouthers, aunt of two children killed in the crash, walks away after speaking during the arraignment for Chidester

Raquel Smouthers, aunt of two children killed in the crash, walks away after speaking during the arraignment for Chidester 

Flowers were left at the scene after the incident at the Swan Boat Club during a child's birthday party the day before

Flowers were left at the scene after the incident at the Swan Boat Club during a child’s birthday party the day before

Horrific images showed scattered balloons and party cups after after the incident

Horrific images showed scattered balloons and party cups after after the incident 

Bill Colovos, the defense lawyer, requested that the judge set Chidester’s bond at $100,000. 

He claimed  Chidester has suffered from ‘epileptic-type seizures’ in her legs’ since November. He also said she had only consumed a bowl of chili and a glass of wine four hours prior to the collision.

‘This is not a monster,’ Colovos said. ‘It’s horrible what happened, but there are some things we don’t have control over.’

Chidester was released two days after being arraigned. 

The children’s aunt, Raquel Smouthers, testified in court. She said she was at the party when Chidester killed her niece and nephew.

Chidester's lawyer pointed out that she does not have a history of reckless driving or traffic tickets

Chidester’s lawyer pointed out that she does not have a history of reckless driving or traffic tickets

The horror unfolded around 3pm in Berlin Township, Michigan, as officials said the vehicle flew over 25 feet into the Swan Boat Club where the party was being held

The horror unfolded around 3pm in Berlin Township, Michigan, as officials said the vehicle flew over 25 feet into the Swan Boat Club where the party was being held 

‘They were sitting at that table eating, and this woman crashed her car through this building destroying all of our lives,’ a nearly inconsolable Smouthers said. 

‘Nobody should ever have to go to a birthday party thinking that they’re gonna die.’

Dodds is suing Chidester and the tavern she allegedly drank at before getting back into her car, the law firm representing Dodds told the Associated Press.

A GoFundMe has been set up to help cover funeral expenses for the children.

Horrific images captured the aftermath as scattered balloons and party cups lay amongst rubble.

Monroe County Sheriff Troy Goodnough explained when the vehicle struck the building, she travelled a further 25 feet inside because of her speed.

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