In a display of chilling indifference that has sparked nationwide outrage, a mother-of-two charged in connection with a horrific crash that killed two teenagers posed for her police mugshot with a petulant pout.
Marybeth Hastings, 44, was captured on camera smirking and laughing with officers following her arrest on charges related to the collision that claimed the lives of 19-year-old Evan Casey and 17-year-old James Yates. The incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday morning in Derry, New Hampshire.
Newly released documentation reveals a deeply unsettling picture of Hastings's behaviour in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy. Instead of showing remorse, she reportedly engaged in flippant banter with law enforcement, even joking about the circumstances that led to her arrest.
A Community in Mourning
The two victims, remembered as bright and beloved young men, were pronounced dead at the scene. The local community has been left reeling from the sudden loss, with tributes pouring in for the teenagers described by friends as 'kind-hearted and full of potential'.
Evan Casey, a recent high school graduate, was known for his passion for mechanics, while James Yates was a dedicated athlete with a wide circle of friends. Their families have asked for privacy as they grapple with an unimaginable grief.
Questions of Accountability
Hastings was arraigned on Monday on two Class B felony charges of negligent homicide. Prosecutors are examining all factors that contributed to the crash, with the suspect's conduct post-arrest likely to play a role in the court of public opinion, if not the legal proceedings themselves.
The case serves as a grim reminder of the devastating consequences of negligent behaviour on the road and the profound impact it has on families and communities. As the legal process unfolds, a community is left to mourn, and a nation is left questioning how such a profound lack of empathy can exist in the face of utter tragedy.
