John Jefferson
Clockwise from left: Jourdan Hudson (Allen County Sheriff’s Department), Nalani Ella Ervins (Nelson Memorial Gardens), Jaiden Samaria Marquis Newbolt (GoFundMe).
A woman in Indiana heading to a birthday party with her sister and a 6-year-old girl, as well as several others, allegedly killed the pair on the way there — flipping and rolling her SUV into a ditch — while driving at speeds over 100 mph, cops say.
Jourdan Hudson, 23, is accused of killing Nalani Ella Ervins, 6, and Jaiden Samaria Marquis Newbolt, 25, in November 2024 in a crash that left three others injured, including two children, according to the Allen County Sheriff’s Department.
Hudson was taken into custody on Friday and booked for neglect of a dependent resulting in death, neglect of a dependent resulting in serious injury, two counts of reckless homicide and a lesser neglect charge in connection to the Nov. 23 crash on Interstate 69 near the 320 mile marker.
Officers and medics who responded that Saturday night located “an SUV with damage and five individuals with injuries” at around 8 p.m. according to police officials.
“A preliminary investigation indicated the SUV was southbound on I-69 near the 320 mile marker when it left the roadway for unknown reasons,” the sheriff’s department said in a press release. “The SUV struck the guardrail and rolled. Two occupants were ejected from the vehicle and both pronounced deceased at the scene. One was a juvenile … Three other occupants were transported to a local hospital; an adult in serious condition, a juvenile in serious condition and another juvenile in serious to critical condition.”
After the crash, Hudson told police investigators it was her dead sister behind the wheel and claimed she was in the back of the SUV with the children, ages 4 to 6, according to the local Fox affiliate WANE. She allegedly confessed to being the driver four days later.
“The defendant, placing the children in the car, voluntarily took responsibility for their health and safety while driving them to the birthday party,” Allen County Sheriff’s Deputy Russell Collins wrote in the accident report, according to local ABC affiliate WPTA.
More from Law&Crime: Parents of sorority sisters and college seniors killed while walking along ‘Dead Man’s Curve’ by alleged speeding BMW driver are now suing California
Hudson faces up to 70 years in prison if convicted of all charges.
GoFundMe fundraisers launched for Newbolt’s and Ervin’s families detail how the two victims touched the lives of others, including one with a description written by Ervin’s mother.
“My name is Brittany Ervins,” the description says. “On November 23rd, just before 8 pm, my baby Nalani Ervins, 6 years old, life was claimed due to a fatal car accident. My baby had a smile that could light up the room. She had a bubbly personality; she loved unicorns, ponies, and rainbows. She touched so many hearts; she was a ball of joy. Anything that can be donated, me and my family will greatly appreciate it. Please keep us in your prayers.”
Read the full article here