A pregnant Michigan mother of four is behind bars after allegedly killing two people and injuring 14 others while driving under the influence. Ashley Marie Monroe, 35, allegedly ran into a group of people walking on the side of the road in Watertown Township on May 18 and then left the scene. Police tracked her down a short time later and arrested her.
The mother was arraigned on May 20 and was charged with 11 felonies. The court set her bail at $1 million. Monroe’s alleged behavior caused an uproar online, with many wondering why her charges aren't more severe.
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The accident was serious.
The crash involved a total of 16 victims, including two adult males who were killed, according to a Facebook post from the Clinton County Michigan Sheriff's Office. All of the victims were reportedly family and ranged in ages from 2 to 61. Of the victims, eight were taken to the hospital and released a short time later, while six needed additional care. The remaining victims are expected to survive, although one person was listed in critical condition, according to WILX.
Two men died at the scene of the accident.
According to WILX, Johnathan Esch, 30, and Daniel Harris, 42, were both killed in the crash. The group was walking together toward their grandparents' home in Clinton County around 6:30 p.m. when Monroe allegedly struck the crowd with her car. After the accident, the driver took off, but her car was found a short time later.
"Her car was located with severe damage to the front passenger side, consistent with witness statements, as well as blood, hair, and other tissue on her vehicle," Debra Martinez, the Clinton County chief assistant prosecutor, said in court, per WILX.
Evidence suggested the pregnant woman was drunk.
The prosecution said in court that investigators located a "mostly empty" pint of Crown Royal in Monroe's purse and two bottles of antidepressants in the car, WILX reported. Martinez warned the court that she believed Monroe is a danger to the public and should not be released from jail.
"We think she is a serious risk to the public. Witnesses were located and came forward, to describe her erratic and dangerous driving, both before and after [the crash]," Martinez said. Monroe's bond was ultimately set at $1 million.
Monroe faces charges of multiple felonies.
According to the sheriff's office, Monroe was charged with two counts of operating under the influence causing death, two counts of failing to stop at the scene when at fault resulting in death, six counts of operating under the influence causing an incapacitating injury, and one count of failure to stop at the scene of an accident resulting in severe impairment or death.
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To many, the charges didn't seem like enough.
Multiple comments on the sheriff's department's Facebook page condemned the mother's alleged behavior.
"I believe her charges should be more than what she got. I hope she never sees the light of day again," one person wrote.
Another comment reads, "She's about 5 counts short. She should receive a count for every person. And a million is being nice."
But some believe Monroe needs compassion.
"My heart breaks for every person involved, including this woman. She made a mistake that will haunt her for the rest of her life," one person commented. "Very tough lesson to learn, and now her kids will suffer too. Alcohol, the great destroyer."
