Nalani Ella Ervins,Marquis Newbolt Obituary, Death; – Months after a tragic accident on Interstate 69 in Indiana resulted in the deaths of two individuals, including a child, the driver has been charged.
Jourdan Hudson, aged 23, is now facing multiple charges, including neglect of a dependent resulting in death, neglect of a dependent resulting in serious injury, an additional count of neglect of a dependent, and two counts of reckless homicide.
On the evening of November 23, 2024, the Allen County Sheriff’s Department responded to a collision on the southbound lane of I-69 at the 320 mile-marker, near Union Chapel Road. Authorities determined that Hudson was operating an SUV at speeds exceeding 100 mph when it collided with a guardrail and overturned.
Upon impact, two children and Hudson’s sister were ejected from the vehicle. Tragically, both the woman and a 6-year-old child were pronounced dead at the scene. The Allen County Coroner identified the deceased as Nalani Ella Ervins, aged 6, and Jaiden Samaria Marquis Newbolt, aged 25.
A child who remained in the vehicle sustained critical injuries and was transported to the hospital in a police vehicle, a decision that ultimately proved life-saving, according to court records. Investigators found that four seconds prior to the crash, Hudson was traveling at 104 mph, and two seconds later, her speed increased to 106 mph.
However, Hudson allegedly claimed to the police at the scene that her sister was driving while she was seated in the back with three children, all aged between 4 and 6. In a subsequent interview with detectives four days later, Hudson confessed that she had been the driver.
She explained that the group was following another vehicle en route to a birthday celebration when they became lost, leading to an argument with her sister. While attempting to turn around on the highway, Hudson stated that she lost control of the SUV. During her police interview, she acknowledged that none of the children were secured in car seats or seatbelts, despite a car seat being readily available.
