Diane McGlown, 47, Cardell Coachman, 8, and Jakobe Johnson, 8, killed, and Lawrence Jason Bewley, 45, arrested in alleged drunk-driving crash on Highway 79 and Jefferson State Pkwy in Jefferson County, Alabama

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) - Authorities in Alabama say a woman and two children were killed in a crash involving a drunk driver. Jefferson County sheriff's Chief Deputy Randy Christian tells Al.com that Lawrence Jason Bewley is charged with murder in the death of a 47-year-old woman and two eight-year-old boys. The 39-year-old female driver and a 71-year-old woman suffered serious injuries. Bewley is being held at the Jefferson County Jail in Birmingham on an $187,500 bond. The crash occurred Sunday morning on Alabama Highway 79.

A 43-year-old female and an 8-year-old male were thrown from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene. A second 8-year-old male was found dead in the back seat of the same vehicle. While questioning the driver of the van, deputies on the scene observed that he seemed to be under the influence of alcohol. He is charged with three counts of murder in the accident and is being held on $187,500 bond. The driver of the van, 45-year-old Lawrence Jason Bewley, of Birmingham, was not injured.

Three people, including two children, were killed overnight in an alleged drunken driving crash. Witness statements and evidence indicate that the van was traveling north on Alabama Highway 79 at a high rate of speed. Lawrence Jason Bewley, 45, has been charged with DUI and 3 counts of murder following an alleged drunken driving crash that killed 3 people, including 2 children, Saturday night. Saturday at the intersection of Alabama Highway 79 and Jefferson State Parkway. A red, Mitsubishi car was crossing from Jefferson State Parkway to travel south on Alabama Highway 79.

Authorities have identified the woman and the two children killed in a Birmingham wreck over the weekend. Diane McGlown, 47, 8-year-old Cardell Coachman and 8-year-old Jakobe Johnson were killed Saturday, Dec. 20 in a crash on Highway 79 and Jefferson State Parkway, according to the Jefferson County Coroner’s office. The wreck happened after 11 p.m. when a single-occupant van hit the red Mitsubishi the victims were traveling in. Lawrence Jason Bewely, 45, was arrested and charged with DUI at the scene after responding officers observed that he was under the influence of alcohol. He was later charged with three counts of murder and is being held on $187,500.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) - Authorities have identified three people who were killed in a crash in Jefferson County. Investigators say McGlown and one of the boys were ejected from the vehicle and two other passengers were hospitalized. Authorities say Lawrence Jason Bewley's van hit the driver's side of the Mitsubishi the victims were in. Sheriff's officials say 45-year-old Bewley of Birmingham is charged with three counts of murder and is being held on $187,500 bond. Sheriff's spokesman Randy Christian says Bewley's blood-alcohol level was twice the legal limit when he was tested after the crash.

Family members told WVTM 13 that the group was coming back from a Christmas gathering when Bewley's van hit them. A Birmingham man is facing murder charges after his van collided with a car, killing three people inside, including two 8-year-old boys. "She was just a beacon of the community," neighbor Johnnie Jenkins said. Bewley's blood alcohol content was more than twice the legal limit, leading to the murder charges in the case, according to Christian. Investigators say Lawrence Jason Bewley, 45, was driving northbound on Highway 79 when his van hit a car trying to turn left onto the highway.