Justice has been served as two individuals were convicted and sentenced for their involvement in the death of a cyclist after a hit-and-run incident in Philadelphia's Allegheny West neighborhood in 2020. According to the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office, 32-year-old William "Will" Lindsay was fatally struck while riding his bicycle on July 12, 2020, which led to an intense investigation and eventual capture of the perpetrators.
Ranisha Hackley and Hakeem Brown were found guilty of several charges related to the incident. Hackley, the driver of the white Chevrolet Camaro that hit Lindsay, fled the scene immediately after the crash. She later conspired with Brown, her boyfriend, to cover up the crime by hiding and attempting to repair the vehicle. In a statement obtained by Philadelphia District Attorney's Office, DA Krasner said: "These convictions send a message to anyone who thinks they can drive recklessly and cover up their crime: you will be held accountable."
The couple's attempts at evasion were thwarted by extensive forensic evidence gathered by the Philadelphia Police Department's Crash Investigation Division (CID), which included video surveillance, DNA analysis, and cell phone records. Hackley was convicted by a Philadelphia jury of Accident Involving Death, Homicide by Vehicle, Involuntary Manslaughter, Tampering with Evidence, and Conspiracy. Brown was convicted of Tampering with Evidence and Conspiracy.
During the trial, Assistant District Attorney Lauren Crump of the DAO’s Homicide and Non-Fatal Shooting Unit, presented the evidence compellingly, securing the guilty verdicts. The Hon. Giovanni Campbell handed down the sentences, with Hackley receiving 7.5 to 15 years of state incarceration. Brown was sentenced to 1 to 2 years for his part in the conspiracy. "Thanks to Assistant District Attorney Lauren Crump of our Homicide and Non-Fatal Shooting Unit for successfully prosecuting this case," stated DA Krasner in the report from the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office, also commending the CID investigators for collecting the crucial evidence that strengthened their case.
