Hammond woman receives probation for fatal parking lot crash

A woman from Hammond has been sentenced to four years of probation for leaving the scene of a fatal accident. Adrianne Hancock, 56, hit 51-year-old Justin Fanslau in a parking lot and drove off without helping him. Fanslau later died from his injuries. The crash happened on November 14, 2020, at a Strack & Van Til grocery store. Traffic cameras captured Hancock hitting Fanslau as she was driving out of the lot. After the collision, she briefly looked at him before fleeing. Police tracked her down using her sister's car and her debit card. During the court hearing, Judge Natalie Bokota expressed empathy for Fanslau’s family. They had forgiven Hancock and did not want her to serve prison time, partly because it would negatively affect her grandson. Deputy Prosecutor Lindsey Lanham stated that Fanslau's family felt that prison would be a hardship on Hancock's family, especially her grandson. Hancock pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death. Despite facing possible jail time, the court took into account her emotional state and her family's support. Hancock's defense attorney described her as someone who panicked in the moment. He noted that she was a law-abiding citizen before this incident. As the proceedings wrapped up, Hancock expressed regret, wishing she could have done more for Fanslau. Judge Bokota urged her to work on forgiving herself for her actions.