Pregnant Michigan Mom Charged With Drunk Driving Deaths of 2

A pregnant mother of four has been charged with driving under the influence after she rammed into a group of pedestrians over the weekend, killing two people and causing serious injuries to others.

Ashley Marie Monroe, 35, was charged with 11 felonies in the incident on Saturday, including operating under the influence causing death and leaving the scene of an accident, WLNS reported.

Police caught up with her minutes after the incident and found her car with front end damage “consistent” with the crash, which included blood and tissue on the front end. Prosecutors said her blood alcohol level was .18, twice the legal limit, and they found a mostly empty pint bottle of Crown Royal in her purse.

Johnathan Esch, 30, and Daniel Harris, 42, were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office said. A 38-year-old woman was hospitalized in critical condition, and the other 13 people — including eight children ranging in age from 2 to 16 — had non-life-threatening injuries.

Prosecutors asked for a $500,000 bond at Monroe’s arraignment on Monday, while her attorney cited her four children — ages 13, 11, 7 and 1 and “another on the way” — seeking a lower bond. Judge Michael Clarizio set the bond at $1 million.

A probable cause hearing is set for May 30.

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[Featured image: Ashley Marie Monroe/Clinton County Sheriff’s Office]