Who Is Emily Rose Cochran? The Woman Who Killed an Innocent Driver Michaya Parker While Fleeing Police
Emily Rose Cochran, a 25-year-old woman from Sylacauga, Alabama, is facing multiple charges after a fatal crash that killed an innocent driver on Friday, December 22, 2023. The victim has been identified as Michaya Jumese Parker, a 21-year-old woman from Midfield, Alabama.
What happened on Friday night?
According to the police, the incident began shortly before 9 p.m. on Friday, when a Flock Safety camera, a license plate reader, detected a stolen Ford F-150 in the city of Midfield. The truck had been stolen from Vestavia Hills, a nearby city.
A Midfield police officer tried to stop the truck, but the driver, later identified as Cochran, sped away at a high rate of speed. The officer initiated a short pursuit, but was unable to keep up with the truck. The officer was calling off the chase when Cochran veered into the opposite lane of traffic on Bessemer Super Highway, heading away from Midfield toward Bessemer.
Cochran then collided with an oncoming vehicle, driven by Parker, who was the sole occupant of her car. Parker was ejected from her vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene at 9:17 p.m. Cochran was checked by paramedics on the scene and cleared to be taken into custody.
What are the charges against Cochran?
Cochran has been charged with manslaughter, fleeing law enforcement-causing a death, first-degree receiving stolen property, and second-degree receiving stolen property. She was held overnight in the Midfield City Jail and transferred to the Jefferson County Jail on Saturday, where she is being held on a $250,000 bond.
Manslaughter is a Class B felony in Alabama, punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Fleeing law enforcement-causing a death is a Class C felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison. First-degree receiving stolen property is also a Class C felony, while second-degree receiving stolen property is a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in jail.
Who is Emily Rose Cochran?
Emily Rose Cochran is a 25-year-old woman who lives in Sylacauga, a city in Talladega County, Alabama. According to her Facebook profile, she is a mother of two children, a boy and a girl. She also has a tattoo of a rose on her left arm.
Cochran has a criminal history that dates back to 2018, when she was arrested for possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia. In 2019, she was arrested again for possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia. In 2020, she was arrested for theft of property and unlawful breaking and entering a vehicle. In 2021, she was arrested for possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and resisting arrest. In 2022, she was arrested for theft of property, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Who is Michaya Jumese Parker?
Michaya Jumese Parker is a 21-year-old woman who lived in Midfield, a city in Jefferson County, Alabama. According to her Facebook profile, she was a graduate of Midfield High School and a student at Lawson State Community College. She also worked as a cashier at Walmart.
Parker was described by her family and friends as a loving, caring, and outgoing person who had a bright future ahead of her. She was passionate about music, dancing, and fashion. She also loved spending time with her family, especially her mother and her younger sister.
Parker’s family has set up a GoFundMe page to help with the funeral expenses and to support her mother and sister. The page has raised over $5,000 as of Sunday, December 24, 2023. The page can be accessed here: Help Michaya Parker’s Family.
How did the community react to the tragedy?
The tragic death of Parker has shocked and saddened the community of Midfield and the surrounding areas. Many people have expressed their condolences and prayers for Parker’s family and friends on social media. Some have also expressed their anger and frustration at Cochran for causing the fatal crash.
The mayor of Midfield, Gary Richardson, issued a statement on Saturday, December 23, 2023, expressing his sympathy for Parker’s family and his gratitude for the police and the first responders. He also urged the public to drive safely and to respect the law.
The Midfield High School, where Parker graduated in 2020, also issued a statement on Sunday, December 24, 2023, mourning the loss of one of their alumni. The statement said that Parker was a “beautiful young lady” who was “full of life and joy”. The statement also said that the school would provide counseling and support for the students and staff who knew Parker.
The Lawson State Community College, where Parker was studying, also issued a statement on Monday, December 25, 2023, offering their condolences and assistance to Parker’s family and classmates. The statement said that Parker was a “dedicated and hardworking student” who had a “positive impact on everyone she met”. The statement also said that the college would hold a memorial service for Parker in January 2024.
What are the next steps in the case?
The case against Cochran is still under investigation by the Midfield Police Department and the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office. Cochran is expected to appear in court for a preliminary hearing in January 2024, where a judge will determine if there is enough evidence to send the case to a grand jury. If the grand jury indicts Cochran, she will face a trial by jury, where she can plead guilty or not guilty to the charges.
The family of Parker may also file a civil lawsuit against Cochran for wrongful death, seeking compensation for the damages caused by the crash. However, no such lawsuit has been filed as of Sunday, December 31, 2023.
