Siblings, 8 and, 5 killed, 13 injured as suspected drunk driver plows through children’s birthday

By Katherine Donlevy

An alarming video shows the woman’s blue SUV speeding through the club’s parking lot and smashing into the back wall of the building.

Two young siblings were killed and 13 other people were injured when a suspected drunk driver plowed through a children’s birthday at a Michigan boat club Saturday.

The horror unfolded around 3 p.m. when a 66-year-old woman crashed 25 feet through the Swan Creek Boat Club, where the kids and their parents were enjoying the festivities, Monroe County Sheriff Troy Goodnough said.

“The scene was described by the first responders as extremely chaotic, with high level of emotions of those directly involved and those who witnessed this horrific incident,” he said.

Police at the scene.
A suspected drunk driver plowed 25 feet through a boat club while it was hosting a children’s birthday party.WXYZ 7

An alarming video shows the woman’s blue SUV speeding through the club’s parking lot and smashing into the back wall of the building, narrowly missing a lamp post.

A plume of debris can be seen exploding out of the corner of the frame, cutting off the catastrophic damage the allegedly drunken woman caused.

An 8-year-old girl and her 5-year-old brother died at the scene, police said.

Three children and six adults were taken to area hospitals by two helicopters or ambulances, some with life-threatening injuries.

The car speeding toward the building.
Police said the 66-year-old driver was taken into custody on suspicion of driving while intoxicated.BNO News

Others injured were given first aid at the scene, and some of them were taken to hospitals by private vehicles.

Police did not identify the woman, but said she had been taken into custody on suspicion of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated causing death.

She was cooperating with authorities and likely would face more charges as the investigation continues, according to Goodnough.

Police and ambulance at the scene.
Two siblings, aged 8 and 5, were killed at the scene.WXYZ 7

The Swan Boat Club announced it would be shutting down for the remainder of the weekend in light of the disaster.

“There was a terrible accident at Swan today with many injuries, and much damage to the pavilion. Please keep all the people and families in attendance in your prayers,” the boat club said on Facebook.

The accident occurred in Berlin Township, about 30 miles south of Detroit.