Woman faces felony DUI charges in Keyesport crash that killed 4

An East Carondelet woman has been charged with felony drunken driving in connection with a crash that killed four people near Keyesport.

Clinton County prosecutors have charged Melissa Weiser, 27, with 32 counts of aggravated DUI.

Weiser was the driver of a car that crashed May 24 into a sport utility vehicle at the intersection of Emerald and Keyesport roads.

Three occupants of the SUV were killed: Derek Garrison, 21, of Germantown; Blake Thole, 21, of Aviston; and Justin Haar, 21, of Beckemeyer.

Also killed was Chaz Sargent, 28, of East Carondelet, who was a passenger in Weiser's car.

Four other occupants of the SUV were injured: Crystal Fuehne, 21, of New Baden; Casey Athmer, 21, of Damiansville; Elisah Engelmann, 20, of Albers; and John Lampen, 21, of Breese.

Some of the DUI counts relate to the deaths, while the others relate to the injured persons. The ones involving death carry a sentence ranging from probation to 28 years in prison.

"It's probationable, but only if the court finds there are extraordinary circumstances that would allow for a sentence of probation," Clinton County State's Attorney John Hudspeth said. "We contend that those circumstances don't exist here."

If probation is not imposed, the minimum prison sentence is six years.

Weiser was arrested Tuesday, shortly after the charges were filed. She remained jailed Thursday with bail set at $100,000 by Associate Judge William Becker, meaning she would need to post $10,000 in cash to be released on bond.

Hudspeth said the charges were filed following an investigation by the Clinton County Sheriff's Department.

"This case has been under investigation since the moment it happened," the prosecutor said.

Hudspeth said he and Sheriff Mike Kreke are grateful "to the families and friends of the victims for their patience and cooperation in this ongoing investigation."