The driver of a van packed with 16 women that crashed near Atlanta over the weekend has been charged with vehicular homicide.
Monica Manire was arrested Wednesday and charged with six counts of homicide by vehicle in the first degree, Fox 5 Atlanta reported. She was also charged with improper lane change.
Manire, 32, of Byron, was driving the 2002 Dodge Ram van to a sober living meeting in Gwinnett County when she recklessly changed lanes, causing the van to flip on its side and slide across 2 lanes of traffic.
She is being held at the Gwinnett County Jail, according to Fox 5 Atlanta.
According to a police report, the van was heading north on I-85, approaching the I-985 split, when another vehicle unexpectedly changed lanes in front of it.
Manire changed lanes to avoid a collision. The van lost control and rolled over on its side before sliding across two lanes and striking a guard rail where it burst into flames.
A motorist kicked out the windshield in a desperate attempt to reach the passengers trapped inside the burning van.
10 people including Manire made it out alive, but six women perished in the fire.
Gwinnett County police released the names of the victims who are all from Georgia.
Among the dead was Alishia Carroll of Columbus, a 34-year-old mother of four, who was trying to kick her addictions.
“She was finally trying to get good for herself and good for kids and God just wanted to take her home,” Carroll’s oldest child, Kylie Mitchell, told WXIA-TV.
The other deceased victims are Kristie Whitfield, 44, of Mount Airy, Ashleigh Paris, 26, of Kennesaw, Tina Rice, 53, of Atlanta, Normisha Monroe, 38, of Norcross, and Rose Patrick, 34, of Ellabell.
