By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-09-26 20:51:38 | Updated at 2024-09-30 17:25:23
3 days ago
A South Carolina woman has claimed she had a psychotic episode and lost touch with reality when she killed three teenagers in a horrific car crash.
Melissa Ann Parker, 46, was sentenced to 25 years behind bars earlier this week after she was found guilty of several felonies which included DUI resulting in death.
Parker had been behind the wheel of her car when she plowed into twin sisters Elleana and Isabella Lee Gaddis, 17, and Brianna Lynn Foster, 18, in August 2021.
The three teens were just ten minutes from their destination when Parker's Hummer SUV hit the teenagers while driving on Interstate 26.
In court this week, Parker said she had a psychotic episode and had attempted to medicate herself with THC gummies, when she 'lost touch with reality'.
Parker had been behind the wheel of her car when she plowed into twin sisters Elleana and Isabella Lee Gaddis, both left, and Brianna Lynn Foster, right, in August 2021
The three teens were just ten minutes from their destination when Parker's Hummer SUV hit the teenagers while driving on Interstate 26
Parker had stolen the Hummer from a Circle K car park, and after police were called to the scene she nearly hit a responding officer, according to CBS4.
Authorities say she then drove the vehicle onto the interstate the wrong way, before she collided with the sedan with the three girls inside.
The only survivor in the girl's car, Maci Watts, recalled at the time: 'I got out of the car, and I stood up and started screaming for help.
'I found out later the defendant had crawled out of her car and ran away.'
Police at the time say they managed to track Parker to a nearby residential area where they said she was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
It was later in a local hospital that she revealed she had taken the gummies and Adderall before getting behind the wheel.
On Monday she was sentenced for three counts of DUI resulting in death, one of assault and battery, grand larceny and hit and run with minor personal injury.
7th Circuit Court Solicitor Barry Barnette said: 'This never should have happened – taking drugs and driving is the same as drinking and driving.
'In this case, Parker’s decision to mix THC gummies with Adderall and then get behind the wheel of a stolen car led to an absolute nightmare situation and the death of three young women.'
On Monday she was sentenced for three counts of DUI resulting in death, one of assault and battery, grand larceny and hit and run with minor personal injury
Police at the time say they managed to track Parker to a nearby residential area where they said she was under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Parker was represented by Andrew Johnston of the Johnston Law Firm based in Spartanburg, near where the girls died..
In a statement, he said: 'On the night of this tragedy, Melissa had a psychotic episode and tried to self-treat with THC gummies.
'She lost touch with reality and believed she had to run for her life in a stolen vehicle. In her panic, she drove onto the Interstate the wrong way.
'Three young girls died as a result. Melissa accepted full responsibility for her actions.
It was later in a local hospital that she revealed she had taken the gummies and Adderall before getting behind the wheel
'We believe the sentence was appropriate both for the harm she inflicted and the rare circumstances of this case.'
During a 2021 hearing, the parents of the three teenagers spoke about the devastating loss.
Andy Gaddis, the father of the twin girls, told Fox: 'They were identical twins. They came in together, and I hope they were asleep, but I am glad they went out together.'
'We all feel like we’re dying, minute by minute. We feel like we’re not going to be okay.'
Brianna's mother Jodi Foster added: 'They did not deserve this. They had their whole lives ahead of them.'
