A woman from South Carolina has been sentenced to 25 years in prison after a fatal wrong-way collision that resulted in the deaths of three teenagers from Indiana in 2021.
Melissa Ann Parker, 46, entered a guilty plea to multiple charges, including driving under the influence leading to death, assault and battery, grand larceny, and fleeing the scene of an accident.
The fatal collision took place on August 16, 2021, in the vicinity of Spartanburg, South Carolina. Parker was driving a stolen Hummer SUV on the wrong side of Interstate 26 when she crashed head-on into a Kia sedan carrying four teenagers from Fishers, Indiana.
The accident claimed the lives of identical twins Elleana Lee Gaddis and Isabella Lee Gaddis, both 17, along with their 18-year-old friend Brianna Lynn Foster. A fourth teenager, 17-year-old Maci Watts, survived the crash with minor injuries.
Prosecutors revealed that prior to driving, Parker had ingested THC gummies and Adderall. The sequence of events began with her stealing an unattended Hummer from a gas station parking lot. Shortly after, Parker attempted to strike a police officer at a nearby Waffle House before making a quick getaway.
Barry Barnette, the 7th Circuit Court Solicitor, stated that the incident was avoidable, equating drug-impaired driving with drunk driving. He emphasized that Parker’s choice to combine THC gummies and Adderall before operating a stolen vehicle led to the untimely deaths of three young women.
Andrew Johnston, Parker’s defense attorney, shared the context for her actions that day. He explained that his client had experienced a psychotic break and had tried to self-medicate with THC gummies. In her delusional state, she believed she needed to escape, leading her to steal a car and enter the Interstate in the wrong direction.
Following the crash, Parker escaped on foot but was soon caught by law enforcement.
Maci Watts, the lone survivor of the crash, shared her experience with Indianapolis Fox affiliate WXIN, recalling how she exited the vehicle and shouted for help. It was later that she learned Parker had also escaped from her vehicle and fled the scene.
The tragedy deeply impacted the victims’ families and their hometown of Fishers, Indiana. Jodi Foster, mother of Brianna Foster, spoke to CBS affiliate WTTV in Indianapolis, expressing, “They did not deserve this. They had their whole lives ahead of them.”
Andy Gaddis, the twins’ father, shared his grief with WXIN, stating, “They were identical twins. They came in together, and I hope they were asleep, but I am glad they went out together.”
Besides the 25-year prison term, Parker was also ordered to pay a fine of $25,100 for each count of felony DUI that resulted in death. Concurrent sentences of 10 years for first-degree assault and battery, 10 years for grand larceny, and one year for hit-and-run causing minor personal injury were also imposed at the sentencing on September 23.
Parker’s criminal record, which dates back to 1998, includes prior charges for driving under the influence, shoplifting, failure to stop for a blue light, passing fraudulent checks, burglary, and drug-related offenses.
The community of Fishers rallied around the victims’ families in the aftermath of the tragedy, with local businesses contributing proceeds and GoFundMe pages established for their support.
