A South Carolina woman claimed she had a psychotic episode and lost touch with reality when she killed three teenagers in a horrific car crash.
Melissa Ann Parker, 46, was sentenced to 25 years behind bars earlier this week after being found guilty of several felonies including driving under the influence resulting in death.
Parker was behind the wheel of a car when it crashed into twin sisters Elleana and Isabella Lee Gaddis, 17, and Brianna Lynn Foster, 18, in August 2021.
The three teens were just ten minutes from their destination when the Hummer van Parker was driving hit them while driving on Interstate 26.
In court this week, Parker said he had a psychotic episode and had tried to medicate himself with THC gummies, when he “lost touch with reality.”
Parker was behind the wheel of his car when he crashed into twin sisters Elleana and Isabella Lee Gaddis, both left, and Brianna Lynn Foster, right, in August 2021.
The three teens were just ten minutes from their destination when Parker’s Hummer truck hit them while driving on Interstate 26.
Parker had stolen the Hummer from a Circle K parking lot, and after police were called to the scene, he nearly hit a responding officer, according to CBS4.
Authorities say he then drove the vehicle onto the interstate in the wrong direction, before crashing into the sedan with the three girls inside.
The only survivor in the girl’s car, Maci Watts, recalled at the time: “I got out of the car, got up and started screaming for help.
“I later discovered that the defendant had gotten out of her car and fled.”
Police at the time said they managed to track Parker to a nearby residential area where they said he was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Later, at a local hospital, he revealed that he had taken gummies and Adderall before getting behind the wheel.
She was sentenced Monday on three counts of DUI resulting in death, one each of assault and battery, grand larceny and hit and run with minor personal injury.
Seventh Circuit Court attorney Barry Barnette said, “This should never have happened: doing drugs and driving is the same as drinking and driving.”
“In this case, Parker’s decision to mix THC gummies with Adderall and then get behind the wheel of a stolen car led to an absolute nightmare situation and the deaths of three young women.”
She was sentenced Monday on three counts of DUI resulting in death, one each of assault and battery, grand larceny and hit and run with minor personal injury.
Police at the time say they managed to track Parker to a nearby residential area where they said he was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Parker was represented by Andrew Johnston of the Johnston Law Firm based in Spartanburg, near where the girls died.
In a statement, he said: “The night of this tragedy, Melissa had a psychotic episode and attempted to self-treat with THC gummies.
‘He lost touch with reality and believed he had to flee for his life in a stolen vehicle. Panicking, he drove down the interstate in the wrong direction.
«Three girls died as a result. Melissa accepted full responsibility for her actions.
Later, at a local hospital, he revealed that he had taken gummies and Adderall before getting behind the wheel.
“We believe the sentence was appropriate for both the harm she inflicted and the rare circumstances of this case.”
During a 2021 hearing, the parents of the three teens spoke about the devastating loss.
Andy Gaddis, the twins’ father, said Fox: ‘They were identical twins. They came in together and I hope they were asleep, but I’m glad they came out together.
‘We all feel like we are dying, minute by minute. “We feel like we’re not going to be okay.”
Brianna’s mother, Jodi Foster, added: “They didn’t deserve this. They had their whole lives ahead of them.