A joyful evening at a festival in Livonia, Michigan, ended in heartbreak when a woman allegedly drove into a mother and her two young children, killing one of them and seriously injuring the others.
Tragedy Strikes During Livonia Festival
On Sunday, June 29, around 10:45 p.m., Tia Robinson, 28, was crossing the road with her 3-year-old twins near the Livonia Spree festival when they were hit by a car. The festival was celebrating the city’s 75th anniversary with fireworks and fun activities.
Sadly, her young son, Khalil Robinson, died from his injuries. Tia and her daughter were critically injured and rushed to the hospital. Witnesses at the scene helped move the children off the road, but the car that hit them did not stop.
Driver Accused of Hit-and-Run
Police say the driver of the car was 55-year-old Tammy Sandoval. According to the Livonia Police Department, Sandoval was driving without a valid license and didn’t stop after the crash. She now faces serious charges, including:
Causing death while driving with a suspended license
Causing serious injury while driving with a suspended license
Failing to stop at the scene of an accident causing death
Failing to stop at the scene of an accident causing serious injury
A Family Devastated by the Loss
The children’s grandmother, Regina Robinson, expressed her heartbreak. “All they wanted to do was go and have fun at the carnival and fireworks,” she said. “Why would anyone just drive away like that?”
Michael Robinson, the twins’ grandfather, said this was the first major tragedy their family had ever experienced. He remembered Khalil as a sweet and caring child who always thought of his sister. “If I gave him a piece of candy, he’d take another one just for her,” he shared.
What Happens Next
Tammy Sandoval appeared in court on Thursday but said nothing as the charges were read out. Prosecutors say she was leaving the festival herself when the crash happened. However, her lawyer claims she didn’t know she had hit anyone.
Sandoval is currently in jail on a $600,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court again on July 10 at 9 a.m.
About the Livonia Spree Festival
The Livonia Spree is an annual event celebrating the city’s birthday with music, rides, games, food, and fireworks. This year’s festival ran from June 24 to June 29. What should have been a fun night turned tragic for a young family.
This heartbreaking incident during a family outing shows how quickly lives can change due to careless driving. A mother is now fighting for her life, a little girl is in critical condition, and a young boy is gone far too soon. With serious charges against the driver and a community mourning the loss, many are asking how such tragedies can be prevented in the future. As the legal case continues, the family is left trying to heal from an unthinkable loss.
