WAYNE COUNTY, Mich. – The woman accused of killing a 3-year-old boy and injuring his mom and twin sister in a hit-and-run crash in Livonia was arraigned Thursday.
Tammy Sandoval, 55, of Mt. Morris, was arraigned in 16th District Court on the following charges:
- One count of operating while license suspended, revoked, or denied- causing death
- Two counts of operating while license suspended, revoked or denied- causing serious injury
- One count of failure to stop at the scene of an accident while at fault- causing death
- Two counts of failure to stop at the scene of an accident- causing serious impairment
If convicted, she faces up to 15 years in prison on the charges of operating while license suspended, revoked, or denied- causing death and the failure to stop at the scene of an accident while at fault- causing death, and up to five years for each of the other counts.
You can watch the full arraignment in the video at the top of this article.
During the arraignment, the defense asked for a $100,000 bond while the prosecution asked for a $500,000 bond.
The prosecution argued for the higher bond because of Sandoval’s criminal history, which allegedly includes an impaired driving conviction in Mt. Pleasant in October 2024 and a crash that reportedly left two people injured in the Mt. Morris area in November 2024. She was also allegedly involved in a third crash in which no injuries were reported.
Sandoval’s license is also currently suspended through Aug. 30, 2025, for failing to consent to a roadside breath test, according to the prosecution.
Judge James Jolly ultimately issued Sandoval a $600,000 cash/surety bond with no 10%.
If she posts bond and is released, she must wear a GPS tether and cannot consume alcohol. The judge also said that if released, Sandoval must undergo preliminary breath testing (PBT) three times per day.
A probable cause conference was scheduled for July 10, and a preliminary examination was set for July 17.
Previous Coverage: Driver in custody after fatal hit-and-run kills toddler, injures family in Livonia
Hit-and-run crash near Livonia festival
The crash happened at about 10:45 p.m. on Sunday, June 29, on Merriman Road near Lyndon Street in Livonia.
Tia Robinson, 28, of Detroit, and her 3-year-old twins were crossing the street after attending the Livonia Spree when they were allegedly struck by Sandoval, who was heading northbound on Merriman Road.
Sandoval was also at the Livonia Spree fireworks before the crash and entered the intersection at a flashing yellow light while the Robinsons were attempting to cross, according to the prosecution.
Driver flees, travels over 70 miles home after crash
After hitting the family, the driver left the scene and drove more than 70 miles home to Mt. Morris, according to the prosecution.
An investigation led to Sandoval’s arrest on June 30, the day after the crash.
Boy killed, mom and sister critically injured
The victims were taken to a local hospital, where Khalil, the 3-year-old boy, was pronounced dead. His mother, Tia, and twin sister, Khloe, were critically injured.
As of Thursday, Khloe was released from the hospital, and Tia remains in a medically induced coma with severe head trauma.
“She’s traumatized, of course, but she is at home with us. She is taking my phone every chance she gets,” said Michael Robinson, the grandfather.
He said he is still waiting to visit his daughter Tia in the hospital, saying she doesn’t know about the crash or the loss of her son.
“In her condition, how can you tell her she lost a baby?” Robinson said.
In the meantime, the Robinsons are relying on their faith and community, taking it one step at a time.
“That’s the only thing getting me through right now,” Robinson said.