Executive Summary
- Hannah Hackemeyer pleaded guilty to first-degree vehicular homicide for a 2024 fatal crash.
- The defendant was sentenced to 10 years, including two years of house arrest, under the First Offender Act.
- Police reports cite alcohol consumption and reckless driving as primary factors in the overturn crash.
- Two adults face involuntary manslaughter charges for allegedly allowing the teens to drink before the incident.
Hannah Hackemeyer, a former student of Lakeside High School, has pleaded guilty to first-degree vehicular homicide and related charges stemming from a February 2024 crash that resulted in the death of a fellow student. The plea was entered in DeKalb County Superior Court, addressing the collision that killed Sophia Lekiachvili and injured passenger Ananya Rao.
Hackemeyer, 20, pleaded guilty to charges of serious injury by vehicle, reckless driving, and possession of an open alcoholic beverage. The court sentenced her to 10 years, with the requirement to serve the first two years under house arrest. The judge granted a request to sentence Hackemeyer under the First Offender Act, which provides for the sealing of her criminal record upon the successful completion of her sentence. According to the sentencing order, she must wear an ankle monitor, is prohibited from driving, and must submit to random substance screenings.
According to the official incident report, the crash occurred on February 24, 2024, when Hackemeyer was 18 years old. Investigators arrived at the scene to find a 2016 Mazda CX-5 overturned with one passenger trapped inside. The police report notes that investigators observed an open bottle of wine within the vehicle and detected a “strong odor of alcoholic beverage” coming from the driver. Hackemeyer allegedly admitted to law enforcement that she had been drinking wine and stated she lost control of the vehicle after swerving.
The DeKalb County District Attorney’s office stated that the investigation extended beyond the driver. Two adults, Anindita and Sumanth Rao, have been indicted on charges of involuntary manslaughter, reckless conduct, and maintaining a disorderly house. Prosecutors allege that the parents allowed the teenagers to consume alcohol in their residence prior to the crash.
Judicial Precedent and Liability
This case illustrates the application of the First Offender Act in Georgia, which allows certain defendants to avoid a permanent conviction record if they adhere strictly to probation terms, prioritizing rehabilitation for young offenders. Furthermore, the indictments against the adults involved signal a rigorous prosecutorial approach toward social host liability, holding property owners accountable for underage drinking that leads to fatal outcomes. As the legal proceedings against Anindita and Sumanth Rao continue, the case highlights the potential criminal consequences for facilitating alcohol access to minors. It is important to note that Anindita and Sumanth Rao are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
