Background: News footage from the tragic car crash in November 2024 that claimed the life of James Doniven Hodges (WXIN). Inset (left): Khristal Grant (Shelby County Jail). Inset (right): James Doniven Hodges (Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory).
Authorities reported that an Indiana woman involved in a deadly multi-car accident that resulted in the death of a 6-year-old boy was under the influence of methamphetamine and was applying makeup in her car’s mirror at the time.
Court documents reveal that 43-year-old Khristal Grant was arrested on Saturday, following allegations that she crashed into the back of a Ford Explorer on November 9, 2024. The Explorer, occupied by 6-year-old James Doniven Hodges and his grandparents, was forced into oncoming traffic, resulting in a collision with additional vehicles. The crash led to several individuals being injured and taken to nearby hospitals. James, who was soon to turn seven, sadly died at the scene.
Grant was charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated, causing death.
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Court documents obtained by local Fox affiliate WXIN stated that Grant, who was driving a Chevy Tahoe, was “all over the roadway,” according to a witness who spoke to police. That witness, along with their passenger, reportedly told police that they saw Grant pass them in her Tahoe while allegedly putting on makeup while looking in the mirror.
According to court documents, Grant was driving at about 68 mph when she plowed into the back of the Explorer carrying James and his grandparents while it was waiting to make a left-hand turn off State Road 44. The impact sent the Explorer spinning into the path of a minivan heading westbound, resulting in another collision. Grant and her Tahoe were then struck by a Jeep heading eastbound, leaving damage to four vehicles.
Police said that Grant admitted to using methamphetamine and marijuana “within the past few days” when they questioned her following the crash. All the drivers involved consented to blood tests — Grant tested positive for amphetamine and methamphetamine, according to local NBC affiliate WTHR.
The court documents stated that Grant allegedly claimed to police that she was paying attention to the road, was not on her phone at the time, and insisted that she simply could not stop her car in time to avoid the collision. Witnesses reportedly told police that Grant never hit her brakes in the moments leading up to the crash. Her vehicle data recorder indicated that she hit her brakes half a second before making impact with the Explorer.
Grant was formally charged with two counts of operating a vehicle while under the influence of a substance and causing death on May 9, but was not taken into custody until May 28. She is being held on $10,000 bond at the Shelby County Jail and remains in custody. Her next court date is June 25.
