No charges yet in weekend crash that killed 2 siblings at Michigan birthday party

BERLIN TOWNSHIP, Miss. (AP) — Investigators need more time to gather information before they can file charges in the deaths of two young siblings. Killed by suspected drunk driver at a child’s weekend birthday party, Michigan prosecutors said Monday.

“We expect to make a charging decision on Tuesday,” Monroe County Prosecutor Jeff Yockey said in a brief statement.

“We appreciate the public’s patience and know you understand how important it is to have all the information before making such an important decision,” Yockey said.

A 66-year-old woman drove into the Swan Creek Boat Club in Berlin Township on Saturday and killed 8-year-old Alanah Phillips and her 5-year-old brother, Zayn Phillips. The party was attended by children and adults.

Their mother and another sibling were among nine injured people taken to the hospital, according to the Flat Rock School District and a GoFundMe page created to help the family.

Five people were in critical or serious condition Monday, the Sheriff’s Office said.

Authorities did not say who the birthday party was in honor of. A bar where the driver may have been drinking was temporarily closed but reopened on Sunday.

Flat Rock school counselors were on hand Monday to help students and staff cope with what happened.

“Words cannot adequately express the depth of our grief or ease the pain of those grieving,” Sheriff Andrew Brodie said on Facebook.