DeKalb County parents accused of running 'party house' charged in deadly car crash
DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. - DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced indictments Wednesday related to a February 2024 crash that killed a Lakeside High School student and injured two others.
The crash occurred just after midnight on Oak Grove Road near Kirkland Drive. Authorities say 18-year-old Sophia Lekiachvili was critically injured in the crash and died hours later at Grady Memorial Hospital.
"It is a miracle nothing happened prior to Feb. 24," said DA Boston.
Sophia Lekiachvili (Family photo)
Lakeside High School student killed in crash
The driver, 18-year-old Hannah Hackemeyer, was arrested in April and initially charged with failure to maintain a lane, reckless driving, driving under the influence under age 21, and vehicular homicide in the first degree. During the press conference, Boston revealed that a grand jury had returned formal indictments against Hackemeyer. She is being 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.
Hannah Hackemeyer (DeKalb County Sheriff's Office)
Lekiachvili was in the passenger seat, Ananya Rao was in the backseat, and Hackemeyer was in the driver’s seat when the blue Mazda CX-5 flipped over along Oak Grove Road on Feb. 20.
Lekiachvili was rushed to Grady Memorial Hospital where she died.
Boston says the crash happened within 30 minutes of the girls leaving the house and only a mile away from home.
DeKalb County parents charged in deadly crash
The DeKalb County District Attorney held a press conference to announce additional charges related to a fatal crash in February 2024. Hannah Hackemeyer, Sumanth Rao and Anindita Rao have been indicted. DA Sherry Boston accused the Rao's of running a "party house," often allowing underage drinking and reckless behavior under their supervision. This crash resulted in Lakeside High School student Sophia Lekiachvili's death.
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Boston also announced that the grand jury indicted the parents of another passenger in the vehicle, Ananya Rao. Sumanth and Anindita Rao are accused of allowing the teenagers to consume alcohol at their home before the crash. According to the investigation, the girls, including Lekiachvili, Hackemeyer, and Rao, were seen sharing a bottle of wine in the Raos' kitchen in full view of the parents.
At approximately 11:45 p.m., the teens reportedly informed the Raos they were going for a drive and were allowed to leave the home with an open bottle of wine.
"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," Boston said.
Anindita Rao (DeKalb County Sheriff's Office)
The investigation also revealed hundreds of teens could have been affected. Boston described the Raos’ residence as a "party house," alleging that the parents regularly allowed underage drinking at their home. The Raos face charges of involuntary manslaughter, reckless conduct, and maintaining a disorderly house.
Anindita Rao, 49, surrendered to authorities and was booked into the DeKalb County Jail. Her husband, 50-year-old Sumanth, was out of town on a business trip, but is expected to surrender once he is back in the state.
Ananya Rao does not face charges in connection to this case.
Hackemeyer was released from jail in May on a $25,500 bond.
No word on the next court appearance.
The Source: The details of the indictment were released during a press conference conducted by DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston on Dec. 4, 2024. Additional details on the indictments were sourced from court records. Mug shots were obtained from the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office. Photos of Sophia Lekiachvili were provided by her family. Previous FOX 5 Atlanta reports on the crash and the arrest of Hackemeyer were also used for this story and those links can be found in the article.