A woman charged with the death of an Alamance County teenager in a head-on collision made her initial court appearance on Monday.
Tracey Hernandez made a virtual appearance in a wheelchair, coping with injuries sustained from the accident.
Lily Hahn’s anticipated graduation from Southeast Alamance High School last week was tragically overshadowed by a fatal crash that ended her life prematurely.
In a poignant turn of events, family and friends of Lily gathered in the courtroom, not to celebrate her graduation, but to confront the woman charged with causing the tragic crash.
Lily’s family arrived at the J.B. Allen Jr. Criminal Courthouse, clutching her picture, their grief still palpable.
“God … promises that we will not stand alone in our suffering, and he stands ready to bear our burdens. He stands closest to the ones that are brokenhearted and crushed in spirit,” said Dustin Holt, Hahn’s stepfather.
Lily’s family described her as a woman of deep faith, which is providing them strength during this challenging period.
“A prayer she wrote for her best friend … It was amazing. It was unbelievable,” said Denise Hahn, her grandmother.
Hernandez faces allegations of driving under the influence with two pairs of twins in her vehicle. Authorities reported that all of the children were unrestrained. She is confronting a total of six felony charges.
“Investigators noticed a strong odor of alcohol and red glassy eyes during the interaction with the defendant on scene. They obtained a PBT, which came back positive. The defendant admitted to driving and having consumed tequila,” Alamance County District Attorney Sean Boone said.
Judge Kathryn Overby highlighted that Hernandez faces a pending charge from Orange County related to impaired driving in connection with a crash. Additionally, she noted that Hernandez’s record includes three other crashes resulting in injuries and at least five speeding convictions over the last nine years.
“Based on the allegations, prior criminal record, the court pending charges, the court will not set bond in this case and hold her without bond,” Overby said.
Lily’s family expressed their relief and joy at receiving the news they had been eagerly anticipating.
“We don’t want this to happen to anyone else,” Denise said.
“It’s not only her family. It’s our family and her kids that are going through this as well,” Holt sai.
Hernandez is confronting a grave accusation: second-degree murder.
Additional charges are being brought against her in connection with the four children in her vehicle who sustained injuries in the crash.
One child has been discharged from the hospital shortly following the accident.
