MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Partying on Beale Street until 5 a.m..
That’s what witnesses said Melandus Penson was doing in the hours before he slammed into a car full of teens.
Two of them were killed.
WREG obtained witness statements that provide some clues into the hours before and the moments after last years deadly crash.
According to a statement from Sonya Hadley a night of partying with Melandus Penson on Beale Street last May was a family tradition.
Court documents revealed Penson’s cousin said a group gathered at her home in Lee County, Mississippi then made the trip to Memphis for a night of dancing.
They arrived around midnight and according to Hadley’s statement the stayed on Beale until 4:30 or 5 a.m.
Hadley said she saw Penson drink one medium sized mixed drink.
Another witness said he didn’t see him drink anything.
Afterward they said the group got gas, something to eat and hit the road back to Lee County.
Hadley said that’s when she fell asleep.
According to the documents, “she woke up when Melandus said ‘why did she hit her brakes.'”
Penson crashed into a van.
Inside were 17-year-old Rachel Lynch and Maddie Kruse.
They were killed while two others, including Kara Holden,were seriously injured.
“She had multiple injuries, multiple broken bones, broken clavicle, spinal injuries, 47 stitches,” said Cody Holden, Kara’s father.
Officers said Penson had a .17 BAC, which is more than twice the legal limit.
But Pensons’ friends said he did not seem drunk and tried to help the victims in the crash.
Hadley said she watched Highway Patrol officers cuff Penson.
In her statement told officer she was scared because “she knew Melandus was going to jail.”
When investigators questioned her later about what happened on the scene she claimed “Melandus had told them to say they were coming from Arkansas. He was afraid to tell them Beale Street.”
