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Written by: E. George
Published December 5, 2024 @ 1:50 PM ET
Warning: The following story contains information regarding alleged physical violence against/neglect of children.
DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. – On Wednesday, December 4, 2024, DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston revealed that three individuals are facing charges related to a vehicle accident that killed an 18-year-old Lakeside High School student in February. Sophia Lekiachvili succumbed to her injuries after the driver, 18-year-old Hannah Hackemeyer, lost control of the car while speeding and intoxicated and struck a tree, pinning Lekiachvili inside.
Authorities arrested Hackemeyer, a classmate of the victim, at the scene and charged her with first-degree vehicular homicide, driving under the influence while under 21, failing to maintain lane, and reckless driving, but she was released in May on a $25,500 bond. Hackemeyer faces three counts of first-degree vehicular homicide, DUI while under 21, possessing an open container of alcohol, and three counts of serious injury by vehicle.
Boston stated, “Hannah was speeding more than 60 mph over the limit, hitting 98 mph just one second before the crash. The car’s computer revealed she never tapped the brakes.”
The single-car crash occurred on Oak Grove Road near Kirkland Drive just past midnight on February 20, with Lekiachvili in the front passenger seat and another classmate seated in the rear. The Mazda CX-5 overturned, and Lekiachvili was transported to Grady Memorial Hospital, where she passed away.
Also charged are the parents of the backseat passenger, 49-year-old Anindita Rao and 50-year-old Sumanth Rao, for allowing the teenagers to consume alcohol at their house and then go for a drive with an open bottle of wine. The parents have allegedly maintained what Boston described as a “party house,” regularly allowing possibly hundreds of teens to drink alcohol and partake in illicit activities.
Boston added, “Halloween, Homecoming, the last day of school… It is a miracle nothing happened prior to February 24. Mr. and Mrs. Rao’s choices that night led to the death of a teenage girl.”
On the night of the accident, the three girls shared a bottle of wine in front of the Raos and exited the home at approximately 11:45 PM. Boston disclosed that the tragedy occurred less than a mile away from the residence within a half hour of their departure.
She stated, “Ananya’s parents knew the girls had been drinking but still allowed them to leave the house and get into the car with an open bottle of wine in the front seat.” Anindita was transported to the DeKalb County Jail, and her husband, who was out of town for work, was scheduled to be detained upon his return.
Mr. and Mrs. Rao were charged with involuntary manslaughter, maintaining a disorderly home, and reckless conduct. Their daughter did not incur any charges.
Boston expressed, “As a prosecutor and a mother of two teenage daughters, I’ve never seen a more egregious disregard for safety and wellbeing for young people as I have in this case.”
Mr. and Mrs. Rao face up to 10 years and Hackemeyer up to 30 years in prison. These cases are pending.
After Lekaichvili’s death, her friends lamented, explaining that her kindness was incredible. She had planned to become an Auburn University student after high school.