Jacqueline Badger Mars Accident: Candy Fortune Heiress Charged in Fatal Crash Just Before Halloween [VIDEO]
A billionare heiress to a candy empire was charged with misdemeanor reckless driving charged stemming from a deadly car crash earlier this month.
Jacqueling Badger Mars, the heiress to the Mars chocolate fortune, was charged for her role in a fatal car crash in Aldie, Va., earlier in October.
The charges were filed just days before Halloween.
A search warrant affidavit filed by the Loudon County Sheriff's Office stated that Mars, 74, admitted to falling asleep behind the wheel in the Oct. 4 accident where her Porsche SUV crossed the center line on the two-lane Highway 50 in Aldie and hit a minivan. The collision killed Irene Ellisor of Huntsville, Texas, an 86-year-old passenger in the minivan.
The Mars family spokesperson Kent Jarrell said in a statement, "As court proceedings begin, Jacquie's thoughts and prayers remain with those who have suffered injury and loss. She regrets this traffic accident."
Mars, the daughter of company founder Frank C. Mars, was ranked the seventh-richest woman in the world by Forbes magazine.
She is due in court on Dec. 5, according to The Huffington Post.
Mars candies is a global manufacturer of candy, pet food and other food products. It is worth $30 billion and is the third largest privately-held company in the United States. Popular candies the company manufactures include 3 Musketeers, M&M's, Milky Way, Snickers and Twix. The company also manufactures Wrigley's gum products like Juicy Fruit, Skittles and Starburst.
