US parade crash driver faces murder charges

  • 26/10/2015
Adacia Avery Chambers (Reuters)
Adacia Avery Chambers (Reuters)

The driver of a car that barrelled into a parade-watching crowd in Oklahoma, killing four people and injuring dozens more, has been charged with four counts of second-degree murder.

Those come in addition to a previous charge of driving under the influence for Adacia Avery Chambers, 25, police captain in the town of Stillwater, Kyle Gibbs, said on Sunday.

Chambers, now being held in Payne county jail, is due in court on Monday for her initial hearing.

She faces 10 years to life in prison for each murder count.

A massive crowd had gathered to see the Oklahoma State University Homecoming Parade.

Three victims were pronounced dead at the scene and one victim, a two-year-old boy, died at hospital as a result of his injuries.

Another 47 people were injured in the crash, while as of late Sunday, five of those were still in critical condition.

Stillwater Mayor Gina Noble, who served as the parade's grand marshal, deplored the "unthinkable" tragedy.

"As the mayor, I saw the tragedy unfold," Noble said in a statement.

"We are mourning together. We extend our deepest sympathies to the victims and their families. Our hearts are heavy. We are family. We are a team. We are STILLWATER STRONG."

Chambers was arrested for driving under the influence early on Saturday.

She was taken to Stillwater Medical Centre to obtain blood samples, which will be sent to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation for testing.

Many US colleges and universities hold homecoming festivities - annual celebrations for past and current students - and Oklahoma State University's are believed to be among the largest in the country, with tens of thousands taking part every year.

AFP