MILTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- A mother will be charged with the death of her two toddlers, who were killed Friday in a crash on Interstate 64 involving two other vehicles, Milton Police say.
Siera Lenise Burgess, 26, of Branchland, West Virginia, is still in Cabell Huntington Hospital. She will be charged with two counts of DUI causing death, Milton Police say. Those warrants were obtained Monday in Cabell County Magistrate Court.
Milton Police say a lab report shows drugs and alcohol were found in Burgess's system. They say it was a benzodiazepine-type drug, like Xanax, which relaxes you. Police say at this point they believe the combination is what caused the accident.
Officers say they also found beer bottles in the car at the scene of the crash.
"Finding out, if this is the reason that this occurred, this is something she's going to have to live with," Milton officer, Corey Davis, told WSAZ.
Burgess's kids Skylor Cooper, 3, and Sarah Cooper, 1, died at the scene. Her other daughter, 7-year-old Madilyn, is recovering from injuries she suffered.
Police say Madilyn has a broken leg, broken clavicle and is extremely bruised, but is going to be alright "physically."
"Enough evidence has been found to justify the arrest warrants," Milton Police Chief Joe Parsons said in a news release.
Police say Burgess was headed east when she crossed the median and crashed into a truck hauling a camper. A tractor-trailer also was involved. Those drivers were not hurt.
The crash happened about 7 p.m. Friday in the Milton area, near the 30-mile marker.
Huntington Police continue to conduct a reconstruction of what Milton Police referred to as a "horrific crash."
Family members say Skylor and Sarah were their entire world and they are dealing with an unimaginable loss.
"For me, it's just pushed me to give me a drive more to make sure that our case is perfect, that the investigation is perfect, that we do everything we possibly can for little Skylor and Sarah and Madilyn and hopefully not only the family, but maybe we can find some closure in doing the best job that we possibly can," Davis said.