Mars chocolate bar heiress Jacqueline Mars is facing a misdemeanor reckless driving charge after a fatal accident in Northern Virginia, reports NBCnews.com.
The 74-year-old heiress to the Mars, Inc. empire apparently fell asleep at the wheel of her 2004 Porsche SUV on October 4th, while traveling westbound on Rt. 50 near Aldie. The vehicle crossed a median, colliding with a minivan carrying six female occupants.
One of the passengers in the van, 86-year-old Irene Ellisor, of Huntsville, TX was not wearing a seatbelt in the backseat, and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the minivan, a pregnant woman who lost her baby, was seriously injured and airlifted to Inova Fairfax Hospital. All four of the other passengers were also hospitalized, while Mars was treated at Stone Springs Medical Center before receiving treatment and then being released from Inova Fairfax Hospital.
According to family members, the group of six was on their way to a wedding in Virginia, traveling from Texas.
A spokesman for Mars had this to say in a statement on Tuesday: “As court proceedings begin, Jacquie’s thoughts and prayers remain with those who have suffered injury and loss. She regrets this tragic accident.”
Mars has been charged with reckless driving in the crash, and the case is set on the docket for Dec. 5 in Loudoun District Court.
Mars lives in The Plains, in Fauqier County, and has a net worth of $20.5 billion. She is considered to be the richest person living in the greater D.C. area.
We will keep you updated as this story unfolds.
The Parrish Law Firm car accident injury attorney works with northern Virginia residents who have been injured in motor vehicle crashes because of another person’s negligence, and are looking for fair compensation. Contact us today for a free case consultation, or call us at 703-906-4229.
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