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Woman Allegedly Runs Over Boyfriend With SUV, Claims He Was 'Challenging Her' To Do It
Raquel Mendoza McCormick allegedly told her boyfriend Thomas Brankin to "get up" and that he "wasn’t really hurt," but he later succumbed to his injuries.
An Illinois woman is accused of intentionally running over her coach boyfriend with an SUV, an incident which ultimately led to his death.
Raquel Mendoza McCormick, 48, was charged Thursday with attempted murder for the death of her 53-year-old boyfriend Thomas Brankin, the Chicago Tribune reports. He died one day earlier after succumbing to injuries he suffered on Aug. 11 when McCormick allegedly ran him over, the Times of Northwest Indiana reports.
McCormick called 911 that evening after allegedly mowing down McCormick, her boyfriend of three and a half years, and leaving the scene. She told a dispatcher, "Oh, my God, maybe I hit him," court records obtained by Times of Northwest Indiana state. She then returned to the scene.
McCormick allegedly told police Brankin was "challenging" her by asking if she was going to hit him, according to court records. She claimed he was “mocking her” while holding a hot dog as she attempted to drive away in her 2018 black Chevrolet Equinox. She said they got into an argument after he got food while she was cleaning up her nearby business, Times of Northwest Indiana reports.
She claimed Brankin asked her if she was going to hit him.
“Yeah, I’m gonna hit you because you’re standing in front of me,” she allegedly replied to him.
She also allegedly said that her boyfriend was “just moaning, ‘mmmmmm,”’ after she struck him.
A witness also claimed that McCormick told her boyfriend to "get up and that he wasn’t really hurt," according to the Times of Northwest Indiana.
Brankin, however, was seriously hurt. He suffered injuries to both eye sockets, facial fractures, swelling and multiple brain bleeds as a result of the incident. He was never fully aware of his surroundings again.
He was known as a beloved assistant golf coach at Valparaiso University. He also coached various sports at local high schools.
In addition to attempted murder, McCormick was charged Thursday with aggravated battery and domestic battery by means of a deadly weapon. An autopsy could lead to further charges.
McCormick is being held without bail. It’s not clear if she has a lawyer who can speak on her behalf.
