(Lawrenceburg, Ind.) - A new charge has been added against a Sunman woman accused in a deadly hit and run accident in Bright.

Christina Shackelford-Grammer, 32, was in Dearborn Superior Court I Monday morning when prosecutors amended the charges against her to include Reckless Homicide, a Class C felony. It carries an additional two to eight years and up to $10,000 fine against Shackelford-Grammer.

She was already charged with Leaving the Scene of a Deadly Accident - also a Class C felony - for the September 7 incident where she allegedly ran over three-year-old Jack Carpenter after he had wandered onto North Dearborn Road near Henderson Road.

Shackelford-Grammer told investigators she was distracted by her children as she drove a pickup truck and thought she had hit a deer. Reading news reports later that night, she realized she may have been responsible for the hit-skip. She telephoned an Aurora police officer who was a friend to share the revelation and was arrested two days later.

Attorney Douglas Garner represented Shackelford-Grammer in court Monday, telling Judge Jonathan Cleary he didn’t understand how the new charge could apply. He declined to comment further after the hearing ended.

It seems the case may be headed for trial. Garner told Cleary the defense has not had plea offer discussions with the prosecution. Prosecutor Aaron Negangard said he anticipates 30 to 40 witnesses to testify, meaning a potential trial would take a week or longer.

The final pretrial hearing is set for Feb. 22 with the trial to follow March 14, however Cleary said he would push the dates back if requested by either side due to the new charge added.

LINKS:

New Charge Possible Against Deadly Hit-Skip Driver

Supporters Show For Shackelford-Grammer

Woman Charged In Fatal Hit-and-Run