MEMPHIS, Tenn. — There’s new information on the deadly crash that killed two girls, injured two of their friends and the grandmother who drove them.
WREG learned the Mississippi Highway Patrol’s investigation is now complete.
We’re working to get a copy of the report, but we know the driver charged with DUI in the fatal crash was not alone that morning.
Sonya and Tyson Hadley live in a mobile home in Beldon just outside Tupelo, Mississippi.
Melandus Penson is their cousin.
They were not arrested, but they were in the vehicle with him the day of the crash.
No one answered their door when we knocked even though an SUV was in the driveway.
They live next to Melandus Penson’s mother.
She did answer the door.
We asked if either passenger was injured in the crash.
“She’s doing pretty good. She’s working,” said Gloria Penson.
Penson’s mother wouldn’t tell us where the three were coming from when they crashed into the mini-van and killed two Briarcrest teens.
She said she didn’t ask when she visited her son in jail earlier this week.
“I haven’t asked any questions so it will be better if y’all just talk to his lawyer,” said Penson.
Earlier this week, WREG caught up with Penson in handcuffs as he was leaving the court .
We asked him if he was drunk.
“No Ma’am,” he replied. “Not that morning.”
He told WREG the van he hit braked and swerved in front of him.
Penson denied to WREG he was drunk, but officers say otherwise.
Sources tell WREG his blood alcohol level was nearly twice the legal limit.
His mother wouldn’t answer if the other two had been drinking and if not why they weren’t driving.
“I didn’t ask any questions. I’m tense right now so I just ask for prayers for both families that’s all I can say,” she said.
WREG Investigators wanted to know if a passenger riding with a suspected drunk driver has the responsibility to speak up.
Some people might say yes but the Marshall County, MS prosecutor working the case told us there is no legal requirement for passengers riding with a person they know is drunk to call police.
