LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A 25-year-old Hanover, Indiana, woman is facing several felony charges connected to a crash in May that killed her 6-year-old daughter and injured several other people. 

The crash happened May 13 at the intersection of State Road 256 and U.S. 31 in Austin. Dorothy J. Snell was arrested July 30, according to a news release from Indiana State Police. 

Investigators determined Snell was driving a 2008 Chrysler 300 on U.S. 31 when she "disregarded a red light" and entered the intersection without stopping, colliding with a 2022 white Toyota Camry, traveling westbound on State Road 256. The driver and passenger in the Toyota were taken to UofL Hospital in downtown Louisville. 

Snell and her front-seat passenger were taken to area hospitals with injuries that weren't life-threatening.

A 2-year-old child in the rear passenger seat of the Chrysler was taken to Norton Scott Hospital injuries not considered life-threatening. However, Snell's 6-year-old daughter was also taken to Norton Scott Hospital, but didn't survive her injuries.

Crash investigators said Snell was speeding at the time of the crash and "ran the red light on U.S. 31." Investigators also found that "the six-year-old was not in a child safety seat or booster seat and was secured only by a standard seatbelt," which is a violation of Indiana law. 

The investigation also revealed Snell's blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was above Indiana's legal limit of 0.08%. Following a review of the evidence by the Scott County Prosecutor's Office, an arrest warrant was issued for Snell on the following charges: 

  • 1 count of neglect of a dependent resulting in death, a Level 1 felony
  • 1 count of causing death when operating a motor vehicle with an alcohol concentration equivalent (ACE) of .08 or more, a Level 4 felony
  • 2 counts of causing serious bodily injury when operating a motor vehicle with an ACE of .08 or more, a Level 4 felony
  • 1 count of neglect of a dependent resulting in bodily injury, a level 5 felony
  • 1 count of operating a vehicle while intoxicated with a passenger less than 18 years of age, a level 6 felony
  • 1 count of operating a vehicle while intoxicated with a previous conviction, a level 6 felony
  • 1 count of operating a vehicle with ACE to .15 or more, a Class A misdemeanor.

A judge set Snelling's bond at $250,000 full cash. She pleaded not guilty in arraignment court on Aug. 1. Her next court date is scheduled for Sept. 18, according to online court records. 

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