Mom charged for driving drunk injuring daughters, was five times legal limit

HIGHLAND PARK, Mich. (WJBK) - A Southfield mother was charged with driving drunk and seriously injuring her young daughters.

Police say her blood alcohol level was nearly five times the legal limit when she got behind the wheel.

With her head buried in her hands, 30-year-old Hope Blakes faced a Highland Park judge Tuesday. She was charged with five counts including operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated causing serious injury - a 5-year-felony.

The judge referenced the Southfield mother's previous drunk driving conviction in Livonia just last year.

"That increases this to a felony, $500 to $5,000 in fines and five years in jail," said Judge Bridgette Officer-Hill.

Highland Park police say Blakes had been driving near Hamilton Road at 9 p.m. Sunday night with another man in the passenger seat and her two daughters, 7-year-old Heaven, and 6-year-old Faith in the back seat, when she crashed into oncoming traffic.

"I don't know why she didn't strap them in or whatever, maybe because she was under the influence," said Larreisha Tuner, her step-sister. "It is very sad this had to happen."

The two girls badly hurt, one of her girls undergoing surgery and missing her teeth. The other, may lose her eye. Police tell FOX 2 Blakes' blood alcohol level at the time was nearly five times the legal limit at a .39.

"She made a big mistake," said Tanja Mitchell, the girls' step-mother. "Just thank God are still alive and doing just fine."

Blakes' family says that day they had been at a children's birthday party and Blakes, seemed upset.

"She was going through a lot, crying," said Turner. "While I was there she wasn't drinking. I left around 5 o'clock."

Blakes' step-mother and step-sister say despite this and previous drinking and driving incidents, Blakes has always been a good mother.

FOX 2: "Do you think people would disagree that she's a good mother because of this?"

"Yeah they would because of the accident, but they don't know her as a person," Turner said.

"I know she feels very remorseful because of what happened," Mitchell said. "Hopefully she'll learn her lesson."

Blakes was given a $75,000 cash bond. Blakes’ family says, right now, they feel helpless.

"Everyone please don't drive under the influence," Turner said. "Anything can happen. Anything."

Blakes is due back in court Nov. 1 If released she must wear an alcohol and GPS tether.