CROWN POINT — A 20-year-old woman from Gary, Indiana, was sentenced to work release and probation after a tragic hit-and-run accident that took a man’s life. The incident happened on December 26, 2023, when Robelis Soto-Echevarria struck 57-year-old Richard Hunt, a Lake Station resident, while driving west on East Ridge Road in Hobart. Instead of stopping to help, she drove away.
This week, Soto-Echevarria learned her fate in Lake Criminal Court. According to the court’s decision, she will spend four years in the Lake County Community Corrections’ work release program, followed by two years on probation. She also has to pay $7,541 in restitution to Lake County Criminal Courts.
In November, Soto-Echevarria pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of an accident that caused catastrophic injury. This is a serious charge classified as a level four felony in Indiana, which can lead to a sentence of two to twelve years in prison. However, as part of her plea agreement, the maximum sentence she could face was capped at eight years.
The tragedy unfolded when Soto-Echevarria was driving on East Ridge Road, a busy street in Hobart. The details of her actions after the accident left many shaken. By failing to stop and help Richard Hunt, she not only broke the law but left his family and the community devastated.
Her sentence reflects a mix of punishment and an opportunity for rehabilitation. Spending time in the work release program means she will live in a monitored environment while being allowed to work outside during the day. After that, she will serve two years on probation, during which her actions will be closely watched by the court.
This case serves as a grim reminder of the consequences of reckless driving and the importance of taking responsibility for one’s actions. While Soto-Echevarria avoided the maximum possible sentence, the impact of her decision that day will stay with Richard Hunt’s loved ones forever.
