Police arrested Raquel, 48, on an attempted murder charge after her boyfriend Thomas, 53, was allegedly hit by her SUV during an argument on August 11 and later died, People reports.
According to court records obtained by the Chicago Tribune and the Times of Northwest Indiana, Raquel told authorities she and Thomas had dated for three years and spent the earlier part of the day drinking and shopping. An argument followed. She said she tried to leave when Thomas stepped in front of her vehicle, and she allegedly told police he was “challenging” her to hit him.
A witness told officers the SUV made a sharp turn toward Thomas, who put his hands on the hood. The witness said the vehicle backed up, stopped briefly and then sped forward, followed by a crash. Records say Raquel left the scene, returned a short time later and called 911. The witness also told police she told Thomas to get up and said he was not really hurt.
Thomas died at Franciscan Health Dyer from his injuries, according to the reports.
Raquel was formally charged Thursday with aggravated battery and domestic battery by means of a deadly weapon. Both newspapers reported she could face a murder charge depending on the results of an autopsy. She is being held without bail and has not entered a plea. It was unclear whether she has an attorney.
The Tribune reported that Thomas coached several sports at local high schools and spent the past two seasons as a volunteer assistant golf coach at Valparaiso University.
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