Man charged in crash that killed students
Mississippi indictment lists five counts of aggravated DUI
A five-count indictment has been returned against Melandus Penson in the car crash that killed two Briarcrest Christian School students in Marshall County, Mississippi.
The Marshall County Circuit Clerk’s office confirmed that the indictment was returned Tuesday, charging Penson with five counts of aggravated DUI.
Penson, of Belden, Mississippi, is in custody after his $3 million bond was revoked by Circuit Judge Kelly Luther in New Albany on June 10.
Luther revoked bond because, he said, he had no reason to think that Penson, 32, would not drive again if released and, by doing so, further endanger the public.
Penson has four previous DUI convictions from as many different Mississippi jurisdictions, in addition to a reckless driving conviction in Mississippi and speeding in Florida.
A silver Dodge Charger driven by Penson rammed the rear of a car driven by Roxanne Anderson along U.S. 78 in Marshall County at about 6:30 a.m. on May 31. The impact knocked the car into a utility pole.
Anderson, 59, who was injured, is the grandmother of Caroline Kam, 18. Kam also received minor injuries along with Kara Holden, 17.
The other two girls in the car, Rachel Lynch, 17, and Maddie Kruse, 16, died.
They were on their way to the beach a little more than a week after school let out for the summer.
A trial date has not been set.