(Lawrenceburg, IN) – Bond has been set at $5 million cash for 23-year-old Kelis Manuel.
The Fairfield, Ohio woman is facing multiple charges in Dearborn County following a head-on collision on U.S. 52 in West Harrison in June that killed two passengers and seriously injured a third.
Manuel appeared in Dearborn Superior Court I before Judge Jonathan Cleary for her initial hearing this week.
At the hearing, Judge Cleary scheduled a jury trial to begin on April 5, 2027.
She is charged with two counts of Operating a Vehicle Causing Death with an Alcohol Concentration Equivalent to .08 or Greater; two counts of Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated Causing Death; Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, and additional misdemeanor OWI-related offenses.
According to the probable cause affidavit, the crash occurred at approximately 3:31 a.m. on June 14 when the Honda Civic driven by Manuel collided head-on with a semi tractor-trailer on U.S. 52.
Manuel’s passengers were her 21-year-old sister, Kimora Manuel, and two friends – 22-year-old Le’marea Holmes and 20-year-old Niajah Rankins.
Holmes and Kimora Manuel were pronounced dead at the scene, while Rankins suffered extensive injuries.
Witnesses told investigators that the Honda was being driven erratically before the crash, including traveling on the wrong side of the road and swerving across the roadway.
One witness reported repeatedly attempting to get the vehicle to pull over.
Another witness said the Honda attempted to pass his vehicle while traveling westbound in the eastbound lane shortly before colliding head-on with the approaching semi.
According to the affidavit, Manuel’s medical records showed a reported blood-alcohol level of .253 and a positive test for THC.
“This case is a tragic reminder of the devastating consequences that can result from impaired driving,” Dearborn County Prosecutor Lynn Deddens said. “Two young women lost their lives, another was seriously injured, and several families will forever be affected by what occurred that night.”
The crash occurred during the same weekend as a separate and unrelated fatal crash on State Road 350 near Moores Hill that claimed the lives of Jordan and Sierra Walters of Milan and resulted in criminal charges being filed.
“That was an extraordinarily difficult weekend for our community, our first responders and law enforcement, and most importantly, for the families who lost loved ones,”Deddens said. “These cases are a painful reminder that decisions made behind the wheel can have consequences that extend far beyond the driver'”
Deddens thanked Indiana State Police, the Dearborn County Sheriff’s Office, New Trenton Fire/EMS, Bright Fire & EMS, and Harrison EMS for their work at the scene and during the investigation.
