Woman accused of hitting, killing 3-year-old in Livonia didn't have valid license

LIVONIA, Mich. (FOX 2) - A woman accused of fleeing after hitting and killing a boy in Livonia last weekend did not have a valid license, according to charges issued Thursday.

Tammy Sandoval, 55, of Mount Morris, is charged with 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, and two counts of failure to stop at the scene of an accident – causing serious impairment.

Sandoval stood mute as her charges were read and a not guilty plea was entered on her behalf. 

Her defense attorney asked for a $100,000 bond with 10%. The prosecution, however, asked for $500,000 with no 10%, based on Sandoval's driving record which includes several crashes and a suspended license.

The prosecutor said Sandoval was leaving the Livonia fireworks show when she drove through and hit the family. However, her defense attorney said she was unaware that she had hit the three people.

The judge ultimately ruled that, based on the seriousness of the matter, Sandoval would be held on a $600,000 cash/surety bond with no 10%.

She's due back in court on July 10 with a preliminary exam set for July 17.

The backstory:

Sandoval is accused of hitting a family as they crossed Merriman Road near Lyndon Street around 10:45 p.m. June 29, killing 3-year-old boy Khalil Robinson. His twin sister, Kloe, and mother, Tia Robinson, were injured.

Family said the victims were leaving the Livonia Spree festival when they were struck.

Sandoval didn't stop, but was arrested the next day.

According to state records, Sandoval's license was suspended last August after she refused to take a roadside DUI test. 

What they're saying:

After Khalil's death, his family members mourned the boy, whom they called a "special little child."

"This is my first tragedy in my family and knowing how to deal with it," said Michael Robinson, the twins' grandfather. "I have no idea step-by-step, day-by-day and this is the first day so there are going to be long, long days coming."

Khalil and Kloe's grandparents recalled a special bond the twins shared.

"He would always go and take stuff to his sister, so if I gave him a piece of candy, he would take one for his sister and take it in there to her," Michael said. "He was very loving toward his sister but they had their ups and downs though."

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