ATLANTA — The DeKalb County District Attorney's Office announced new indictments related to a deadly crash that killed a Lakeside High School student back in February.
Sophia Lekiachvili, 18, died from her injuries. The driver of the vehicle, 18-year-old Hannah Hackemeyer, was previously arrested and charged with first-degree vehicular homicide, failure to maintain lane, reckless driving and driving under the influence under 21 back in April.
On Wednesday, DA Sherry Boston said Hackemeyer is also facing three counts of serious injury by vehicle, driving under the influence of alcohol under the age of 21, driving under the influence of alcohol less safe, reckless driving, and possession of an open container of alcoholic beverage in the passenger area.
On top of that, Sumanth and Anindita Rao -- the parents of one of the teens in the car -- were indicted for allowing a group of teenagers, including Hackemeyer, to drink in their home and eventually leave in the car. Both now face charges of involuntary manslaughter, reckless conduct, and maintaining a disorderly house
According to DKPD, officers responded to Oak Grove Rd, near Kirkland Dr., on Feb. 24 around midnight for a single-vehicle accident with three passengers. Information from an incident report obtained by 11Alive revealed that the car was traveling southbound when 18-year-old Hackemeyer allegedly lost control of it. The car then collided with the sidewalk, hit a crossing sign and then a tree. Ultimately, the vehicle returned to the roadway, overturned and stopped on its roof. The crash report also alleged that the incident was speed-related.
All three in the car were hurt, and Lekiachvili died from her injuries.
The DA's office said on Wednesday that Hackemeyer was speeding more than 60 miles per hour over the speed limit, reaching speeds of 98 mph just before the crash. Her blood alcohol level was also found to be 0.046, more than twice the legal limit for someone under 21.
The DA said the group of friends had been drinking wine in plain view of the Raos before they left for a drive.
“This crash was a foreseeable consequence of allowing underage drinking in their home and worse—allowing someone who they knew had consumed alcohol—to drive,” said DA Boston. “We recognize that prosecuting these cases will not bring Sophia back, but we hope that by pursing justice in her death, we may prevent future tragedies.”