The parents of a Georgia high schooler are facing charges after their daughter and her teenage friends got into a car accident, resulting in the death of one high schooler.
On Feb. 20 of 2024, Ananya Rao, Hannah Hackemeyer and Sophia Lekiachvili shared a bottle of wine at Rao's house in Dekalb County, reported Fox 5 News. Rao's parents, who were aware of the fact that the girls had been drinking, allowed them to leave with the bottle in order to go for a drive.
"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," said DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston.
Anindita Rao, 49, and Sumanth Rao, 50, allegedly frequently allowed their daughter and her friends to drink despite being underage. Boston stated that their residence was a "party house", and that they did not supervise the girls sufficiently.
The Raos were charged with involuntary manslaughter, reckless conduct and maintaining a disorderly house.
The drive resulted in a horrific car crash just a mile away from Rao's home, in which the blue Mazda CX-5 the girls were in flipped over, severely injuring Lekiachvili. She was rushed to Grady Memorial Hospital where she succumbed to her injuries.
Boston stated that the accident took place only half an hour after the girls left the home.
The driver, 18-year-old Hackemeyer, was charged with three counts of homicide by vehicle in the first degree, three counts of serious injury by vehicle, driving under the influence of alcohol, reckless driving and possession of an open container in a passenger area.
"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," said Boston.
Hackemeyer posted a $25,500 bond in May and was released from jail.
Ananya Rao was not charged with anything pertaining to the case.
Originally published by Latin Times.
