MILTON, W.Va. — Police allege a Lincoln County woman was driving drunk when she wrecked her car Friday night on Interstate 64 near Milton killing her two young children.
Warrants were issued Monday naming Siera Burgess, 26, of Branchland. She’s charged with DUI causing death. The charges were filed after police checked initial blood work results at Cabell Huntington Hospital, Milton Police Officer Corey Davis told MetroNews.
“We did find alcohol and benzodiazepine (possibly from Xanax) from the toxicology screening,” Davis said. “We found a beer bottle in the passenger seat. The remains of a cardboard six-pack container was in the debris field close to the vehicle and just behind the car there were several Coors Light cans that were open and empty that were also in the debris field.”
The collision claimed the lives of Skylor Cooper, 3, and Sarah Cooper, 1. Burgess and another daughter, Madilyn, 7, were injured. They both remained at Cabell Huntington Hospital Monday with Burgess recovering from serious injuries, Davis said.
“She is still on a ventilator and she’s still unconscious but they are pretty sure she is improving,” Davis said. Madilyn suffered a broken leg, a family member told the officer.
According police, Burgess was traveling east at around 7 p.m. Friday and lost control of her vehicle. It crossed the median and collided with a westbound truck pulling a camper. The two vehicles then struck a semi which was also traveling west. The toddlers died at the scene.
“My hope is and I believe at least, me personally, I believe it was pretty instant and it was at least quick for them,” Davis said.
Investigators have only been able to find evidence that the one-year-old was restrained.
The Huntington Police Department’s reconstruction team is assisting Milton officers with the investigation.