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Hannah Hackemeyer, 18, was driving under the influence in
February and crashed the car, authorities said Wednesday. The
accident killed Sophia Lekiachvili, 18. Hackemeyer was indicted
on three counts of homicide by vehicle in the first degree and
three counts of serious injury by vehicle, as well as driving
under the influence. She was arrested earlier this year but is
out on bond. She faces up to 30 years in prison on the homicide
charges. Messages seeking comment were left for both of
Hackemeyer's parents Wednesday.
Sumanth Rao, 50; and Anindita Rao, 49, have been charged with
involuntary manslaughter, reckless conduct and maintaining a
disorderly house. They each face up to 10 years in prison for
involuntary manslaughter and additional time for the misdemeanor
charges.
The crash left their daughter, Ananya Rao, 17, seriously
injured, but she has recovered, said DeKalb County District
Attorney Sherry Boston.
Boston said the Raos' home was “the party house,” where
teenagers would go to drink on “Halloween, homecoming, the first
day of school.”
“It is a miracle that nothing happened prior,” said Boston.
At 11:45 p.m. on Feb. 23, after they had been drinking at the
Raos' house, Hackemeyer, Rao and Lekiachvili told Sumanth Rao
they were going on a drive. Authorities say they took an open
bottle of wine with them.
Just after midnight on Feb. 24, police officers in DeKalb County
north of Atlanta found a blue Mazda CX-5 flipped upside down in
a residential area. Authorities say Hackemeyer was driving at 98
mph when she crashed the car.
Lekiachvili was rushed to the hospital and died.
The Raos face up to 10 years in prison for involuntary
manslaughter and up to 12 months for other charges. Anindita Rao
was arrested Wednesday. Sumanth Rao was traveling, but the
District Attorney’s Office said they arranged for him to turn
himself in.
A telephone number for Sumanth Rao was disconnected and it
wasn't clear Wednesday whether either of the Raos had lawyers
who could speak for them.
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