Woman who left scene of deadly crash sentenced to serve 4 years in prison

Fatal hit and run in South Bend Fatal hit and run in South Bend Police say this woman was the driver who fled the scene

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The woman who pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of the crash that killed 6-year-old Maliyah Davis, was sentenced Wednesday morning.

Reka Phillips, 27, was involved in the deadly crash on August 29, 2017.

Officials say a Dodge Durango driven by Davis’ grandmother, Victoria Carter, entered the path of Phillips’ vehicle at the intersection of Vassar Avenue and O’Brien Street.

The Durango overturned and Davis died as a result of her injuries.

Even though police say Phillips did not cause the crash, she fled on foot from the scene.

Police looked for Phillips for five months before she turned herself in on Jan. 30 and pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of a personal injury accident on April 23.

Because Phillips was on probation at the time of the crash, waited five months before turning herself in and was driving without a license, she was sentenced to a total of 6 years. Two of those years were suspended.

Carter was also indicted on charges of neglect of a dependent resulting in death, neglect of a dependent resulting in serious bodily injury, and neglect of a dependent resulting in bodily injury, and neglect of a dependent.

Her jury trial is scheduled to start on Aug. 20.

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