Fatal Hit and Run in Marietta

FATAL HIT AND RUN

Police in Marietta and across North Georgia are looking for the driver of a recreational vehicle with Canadian tags after a fatal hit and run chain reaction collision on Saturday (October 26th).  The RV has Florida license plates, numbered BZR-W69 and may be pulling motorcycles on a trailer.  There will be noticeable damage to the right front quarter panel.

The Atlanta Constitution-Journal reports that around 1:45 pm on Saturday the RV changed lanes, striking the rear of a white Toyota Camry, causing the Camry to cross lanes of I-75 and smash into a black Toyota Prius and two other vehicles. The Prius then struck the median, flipped and came to a halt blocking traffic, killing a front seat passenger and injuring the driver.  A child in the backseat was not injured.

Bradley Braland, 40 of Winter Garden, Florida, the passenger who was killed, was not wearing a seatbelt and was partially ejected.  The driver, suffering only minor injuries was transported to WellStar Kennestone Hospital along with the 4 year old boy who did not suffer any injuries.  No other injuries were reported in the wreck.

The accident blocked several lanes of traffic on Saturday afternoon.

Marietta Police are asking for any information leading to the apprehension of the driver of the RV.  If found he will undoubtedly be charged with Leaving the Scene of an Accident.  There were presumably witnesses to the accident, as police were given the information regarding the RV's license plates and tags.  If the witnesses can identify the driver of the vehicle, the State may be able to prove the charges, resulting in a felony conviction and anywhere from 1-5 years in jail.

Georgia law outlines a Hit-and-Run or Leaving the Scene of an Accident charge, as follows:

(a) The driver of any vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to or the death of any person or in damage to a vehicle which is driven or attended by any person shall immediately stop such vehicle at the scene of the accident or shall stop as close thereto as possible and forthwith return to the scene of the accident and shall:

(1) Give his or her name and address and the registration number of the vehicle he or she is driving;

(2) Upon request and if it is available, exhibit his or her operator's license to the person struck or the driver or occupant of or person attending any vehicle collided with;

(3) Render to any person injured in such accident reasonable assistance, including the transporting, or the making of arrangements for the transporting, of such person to a physician, surgeon, or hospital for medical or surgical treatment if it is apparent that such treatment is necessary or if such transporting is requested by the injured person; and

(4) Where a person injured in such accident is unconscious, appears deceased, or is otherwise unable to communicate, make every reasonable effort to ensure that emergency medical services and local law enforcement are contacted for the purpose of reporting the accident and making a request for assistance. The driver shall in every event remain at the scene of the accident until fulfilling the requirements of this subsection. Every such stop shall be made without obstructing traffic more than is necessary.

(b) If such accident is the proximate cause of death or a serious injury, any person knowingly failing to stop and comply with the requirements of subsection (a) of this Code section shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than one nor more than five years.

If you have been involved in a hit-and-run or DUI in Metro Atlanta or anywhere in North Georgia, contact the Law Offices of Richard S. Lawson to schedule your free consultation immediately.

Your rights depend on effective representation and Richard Lawson has been practicing nothing but DUI defense for over twenty years.  Trained as a former prosecutor, he knows the weaknesses of the State's case against you and will defend you using the trial skills he has gained over his long career in court.  Top ranked on AVVO, Richard is one of the most well respected and feared DUI defense attorneys in Georgia.  Call today for your free consultation.