A North Carolina woman has been sentenced to 30 days in jail for a fatal hit-and-run incident that occurred in January. Q'laundra Hood, 28, pleaded guilty to felony hit-and-run causing serious injury or death and misdemeanor death by vehicle. The crash resulted in the death of Lance Sotelo, 25, a former student-athlete at Queens University.
According to preliminary investigations, Hood ran a red light at The Plaza and East 36th Street in Charlotte, striking Sotelo as he was running. Sotelo died from his injuries before he could be transported to the hospital. Speed was also considered a factor in the collision.
Mecklenburg County Superior Court Judge Reggie E. McKnight imposed the sentence on Wednesday, which also includes three years of supervised probation and $765 in restitution. Hood had turned herself in to police the day after the incident.
Sotelo's partner, James Holt, expressed deep disappointment and anger over the sentence. "When taking a human life through such reckless behavior, fleeing and leaving that person in the road results in only 28 days behind bars, something is deeply wrong with our justice system," Holt stated. "Lance’s life mattered. He deserved far more accountability than this outcome delivered."
Sotelo's mother, Jeanne, also spoke at the hearing, saying she no longer sought revenge but expressed the profound grief of losing her son. "My son is dead. The part of me that I brought into this world is gone and a part of my husband is gone," she said.
Hood's family members expressed relief at the sentence, with her godmother, Shonyeka Smith, calling it an "accident" and appreciating the judge for giving Hood a "second chance."
Following the court's decision, Sotelo's loved ones shared the outcome on social media, which led to widespread public outcry. Many commenters criticized the sentence as being too lenient, especially given that Hood fled the scene after the crash. Some called for reforms, including the implementation of red light cameras, to prevent similar tragedies.
Sotelo was remembered as a beloved member of the community, having competed for six years on Queens University's cross-country and track and field teams. His partner urged others to cherish their loved ones, emphasizing the fragility of life.