A Georgia couple and their teenage daughter have been indicted in connection with a fatal drunk driving accident that claimed the life of 18-year-old Sophia Lekiachvili earlier this year. Authorities allege that the parents allowed underage drinking in their home, contributing to the tragic events.
Teen Driver Faces Serious Charges
Hannah Hackemeyer, 18, was driving under the influence when she crashed a car in February, killing Lekiachvili and seriously injuring 17-year-old Ananya Rao. Hackemeyer has been indicted on three counts of homicide by vehicle in the first degree, three counts of serious injury by vehicle, and driving under the influence.
Hackemeyer, who was arrested earlier this year and is currently out on bond, faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted on the homicide charges. Efforts to reach Hackemeyer’s parents for comment were unsuccessful.
Parents Accused of Facilitating Underage Drinking
Sumanth Rao, 50, and Anindita Rao, 49, have been charged with involuntary manslaughter, reckless conduct, and maintaining a disorderly house. Prosecutors allege that their home was a hub for teenage parties where underage drinking frequently occurred.
DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston described the Raos’ residence as “the party house,” where teens gathered for events like Halloween, homecoming, and the first day of school.
“It is a miracle that nothing happened prior,” Boston said.
The Raos face up to 10 years in prison for the involuntary manslaughter charges and additional penalties for the misdemeanor counts.
Details of the Crash
On February 23, after drinking at the Raos’ home, Hackemeyer, Ananya Rao, and Lekiachvili told Sumanth Rao they were going for a drive. Authorities say the teens left with an open bottle of wine in the car.
Shortly after midnight on February 24, police discovered a blue Mazda CX-5 overturned in a residential area of DeKalb County, just north of Atlanta. Investigators determined that Hackemeyer was driving at a dangerous speed of 98 mph when the crash occurred.
While Hackemeyer and Rao sustained serious injuries, Lekiachvili tragically lost her life at the scene. Rao has since recovered, according to prosecutors.
Legal Consequences Loom
Anindita Rao was arrested on Wednesday, while Sumanth Rao, who was traveling at the time, has arranged to turn himself in, according to the District Attorney’s Office. Attempts to contact the Raos for comment were unsuccessful, and it is unclear whether they have retained legal counsel.
The case has reignited concerns about parental responsibility and the dangers of underage drinking. As the legal proceedings unfold, families and communities are left grappling with the devastating consequences of one night’s decisions.
