According to authorities, a woman in Indiana killed a sister and a 6-year-old girl while driving to a birthday celebration with them. She allegedly did this by flipping and rolling her SUV into a ditch at over 100 mph.
According to the Allen County Sheriff’s Department, Jourdan Hudson, 23, is charged with the murders of Jaiden Samaria Marquis Newbolt, 25, and Nalani Ella Ervins, 6, in a collision that occurred in November 2024 and left three other people—two of them children—injured.
In relation to the Nov. 23 collision on Interstate 69 close to mile marker 320, Hudson was taken into custody on Friday and charged with two counts of reckless murder, negligence of a dependent resulting in death, and neglect of a dependent resulting in serious harm.
According to authorities, at approximately 8 p.m. on Saturday, responding officers and medical personnel found an SUV damaged and five people injured.
According to a press release from the sheriff’s department, an initial investigation revealed that the SUV was traveling south on I-69 close to the 320-mile marker when it veered off the road for an unidentified reason. The SUV rolled after colliding with the railing.
Two passengers were declared dead at the spot after being ejected from the car. One was a young person.
Three additional residents—an adult in critical condition, a juvenile in critical condition, and a juvenile in serious to critical condition—were transported to a nearby hospital.
After the crash, Hudson told police detectives that her deceased sister was driving and that she was in the back of the SUV with the kids, who were between the ages of four and six, according to the local Fox affiliate WANE. Four days later, she allegedly confessed to being the driver.
According to the local ABC affiliate WPTA, Allen County Sheriff’s Deputy Russell Collins stated in the accident report that the defendant willingly assumed responsibility for the children’s health and safety by loading them into the vehicle and driving them to the birthday celebration.
If found guilty of all charges, Hudson could spend up to 70 years behind bars.
Ervin’s mother wrote one of the GoFundMe fundraisers for Newbolt and Ervin’s families, which describes how the two victims affected other people’s lives.
According to the description, my name is Brittany Ervins. Just before 8 p.m. on November 23, my 6-year-old baby Nalani Ervins died in an automobile accident. The smile on my baby’s face could light up any space.
She was vivacious and loved rainbows, ponies, and unicorns. She was a happy lady who touched the hearts of many. My family and I would be very grateful for any donation you might make. Please remember to pray for us.
RESOURCE
Eliot Pierce is a dedicated writer for ChiefsFocus.com, covering local crime and finance news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Eliot aims to provide his readers with clear and insightful analysis, helping them navigate the complexities of their financial lives while staying informed about important local events. His commitment to delivering accurate and engaging content makes him a valuable resource for the community.