Inset: Kelis Manuel (Dearborn County Prosecutor's Office). Background: The area near the site of a fatal crash in West Harrison, Ind. (Google Maps).
An Ohio woman is behind bars in Indiana after causing a fatal crash while she was extremely drunk, Hoosier State authorities say.
Kelis Manuel, 23, stands accused of two counts each of operating a vehicle causing death with an alcohol concentration equivalent to .08 or greater and operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing death, as well as one count of operating a vehicle while intoxicated resulting in serious bodily injury and various misdemeanors, according to a press release issued by the Dearborn County Prosecutor's Office.
The incident occurred in the middle of the night on June 14, along U.S. Route 52 in West Harrison — a tiny town located along the Ohio border — and took the life of the defendant's 21-year-old sister, Kimora Manuel, and 22-year-old Le'marea Holmes, authorities say.
A third person, 20-year-old Niajah Rankins, was left seriously injured.
Manuel was driving a Honda Civic and ended up in a head-on collision with a semi tractor-trailer that night, according to law enforcement.
"Witnesses told investigators that the Honda was being driven erratically before the crash, including traveling on the wrong side of the road and swerving across the roadway," the press release reads. "One witness reported repeatedly attempting to get the vehicle to pull over. Another witness stated that the Honda attempted to pass his vehicle while traveling westbound in the eastbound lane shortly before colliding head-on with the approaching semi."
Kimora Manuel and Holmes were pronounced dead at the scene.
An ensuing investigation determined the defendant had a blood-alcohol level of .253% and a positive test for THC, prosecutors said, citing an affidavit filed in the case against her.
In Indiana, the legal limit is 0.08%.
At the time of the crash, the Civic was attempting to pass another car in a no-passing zone, according to the Indiana State Police.
"This case is a tragic reminder of the devastating consequences that can result from impaired driving," Prosecuting Attorney Lynn Deddens said in a statement. "Two young women lost their lives, another was seriously injured, and several families will forever be affected by what occurred that night."
The defendant appeared in court for an initial hearing on Oct. 14. Her bond was set at $5 million cash.
She is currently detained in the Dearborn County Jail.