Hope A. Richmond, a 46-year-old woman from Montpelier, Ohio, has agreed to plead guilty to three charges in Steuben Circuit Court related to a hit-and-run incident that occurred in Steuben County, Indiana last fall.
On October 1, 2022, Richmond allegedly struck two boys walking along a road near Lake James, killing one, Wayden Lane Bennett, and injuring the other, Ryly Cumings.
Richmond fled the scene but was tracked down two days later through traditional and social media.
She has since been charged with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death, leaving the scene of an accident causing bodily injury, and obstruction of justice.
As part of her plea bargain, Richmond agreed to plead guilty to all three charges, with the sentencing for the obstruction charge running concurrently with the other convictions.
Although the family of Wayden Lane Bennett were unhappy that the sentencing for the obstruction charge would not be consecutive to the other charges, they agreed to the plea deal to bring the criminal case to a conclusion.
Richmond’s sentencing is scheduled for June 17, and she faces up to 14 1/2 years in prison.