(West Harrison, IN) – Charges have been filed in Dearborn County against a Southwest Ohio woman who was behind the wheel in a deadly head-on crash in West Harrison.
23-year-old Kelis Manuel of Fairfield is charged with two counts of Operating a Vehicle Causing Death with an Alcohol Concentration Equivalent to .08 Grams of Alcohol (Level 4 Felony); two counts of Operating a Vehicle while Intoxicated Causing Death (Level 4 Felony); Operating a Vehicle while Intoxicated Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury (Level 5 Felony); Operating while Intoxicated Endangerment (Class A Misdemeanor), and Operating a Motor Vehicle with a Controlled Substance (Class C Misdemeanor).
The charges stem from a crash on June 14 along U.S. 52 (Harrison-Brookville Road) that claimed the lives of Manuel’s sister, 21-year-old Kimora Manuel and 22-year-old Le’Marea Holmes.
A passenger in Manuel’s car, 20-year-old Niajah Rankins, suffered extensive injuries, including two broken femurs.
Indiana State Police say Manuel’s 2000 Honda Civic was westbound on U.S. 52 in a no-passing zone, when she tried to go around a 2006 Dodge Ram pulling a utility trailer.
Troopers say Manuel’s car collided head-on with an eastbound 2021 Volvo Semi pulling a box trailer driven by 49-year-old Jimmy Davis of Cincinnati.
Davis’ semi came to rest in the middle of U.S. 52, while Manuel’s car left the south side of the roadway and came to rest.
He was treated at a local hospital for minor injuries.
The charges were filed in Dearborn Superior Court I.
Related story: Fatal Head-On on U.S. 52
