An alleged drunk driver is now indicted by a Hamilton County Grand Jury for the death of a little boy whom she allegedly ran over.
35 year old Sheba Basabose is now charged with two counts of aggravated vehicular homicide in the October 8th death of three year-old Rodriguez Taylor.
Authorities have not yet released a photo of Basabose.
Taylor, his mother, and two siblings were walking along McHenry Avenue around 4:45 that morning to their daycare provider. Police say Basabose lost control of her car, went left of center and struck the family. Taylor was killed. His mother and brothers were treated and released from area hospitals.
Basabose was charged with operating a vehicle under the influence immediately after the crash. Today's indictment indicates Basabose is also facing a charge of aggravated vehicular assault and vehicular assault in connection with the case.
Story filed on October 9, 2012
A mother who watched her preschool-age son die after an alleged drunk driver hit her family early Monday morning speaks about the tragedy with Local 12.
Police believe the driver was drunk when she hit 31 year old Jocelyn Austin and her three children. The crash woke the Westwood neighborhood at McHenry near Harrison around 4:45 a.m. Monday.
Local 12's Curtis Jackson spoke with Austin on Monday night. She says she started her day singing with her kids. They were trying to make a long, cold walk in the wee hours of the morning a little more enjoyable. "What's the last thing you remember? Me turning around and seeing the car coming towards me."
Jocelyn Austin had to go work earlier than usual for a Monday morning. So she and her three sons-- ages one, three and five-- left their apartment around four a.m. and made the long walk down McHenry Avenue to their daycare provider. Suddenly a car came out of the darkness. "The car came so quick and I passed out. That's all I can remember."
Police say 35 year-old Sheba Basabose lost control of her car, went left of center and struck Jocelyn and her children. Three year-old Rodriguez Taylor was killed. "He was playful, handsome, smart and I loved him will all my heart."
Police say alcohol is a factor in the crash. "By all accounts the driver was allegedly intoxicated at the time. What are your thoughts on that? I hope she suffers."
Jocelyn and her two sons were treated and released from the hospital. The family is coping with physical and emotional pain they say could have been avoided do not drive drunk. "It's not worth it. It's not worth it. Anybody could be out there."
Jocelyn and her family are making arrangements for her son's funeral. Police say Basabose was not hurt in the crash. She is charged with OVI. Police say more charges are pending.
