A Maryland woman pleaded guilty to manslaughter Friday in connection with a car crash that killed five children — including her two daughters — and a 23-year-old man earlier this year.
Prosecutors said that Dominique Taylor's blood alcohol level was 0.16, or twice the legal limit, when she drove off the side of Route 301 in Bowie and crashed into a tree. It happened about 4:25 a.m. Feb. 2.
Prosecutors have also said she also had marijuana in her system at the time of the crash.
None of the children inside the Chrysler Pacifica minivan were properly restrained, authorities said.
Taylor's daughters, Paris and London Dixon, ages 5 and 8, were killed, as were three of their cousins: Rickelle Ricks, 6; Zion Beard, 14, and Damari Herald, 15.
The sixth victim, Cornell "Donte" Smith, was taken off life support weeks after the crash.
"This is very tragic case," State's Attorney Braveboy said in a statement Friday. "I think Ms. Taylor's decision to plead guilty was the right choice. A trial would probably have been unbearable for all parties involved. Anytime a defendant accepts responsibility we believe that is a good thing especially in a case like this."
Taylor, 33, pleaded guilty to six counts of motor vehicle manslaughter and will be sentenced Jan. 13. She is facing anywhere from one to 30 years in prison.
