Driver Leaves the Scene of an Accident in Georgia After Allegedly Causing Car Crash with a Pregnant Woman

Deputies in Forsyth County are on the search for a man who has been accused of causing a car crash that killed a pregnant woman's unborn child. Nicolas Alonzo-Ramos and two other passengers in his vehicle have been reported as running away from a two-car accident. They have been accused of leaving a 26-year-old pregnant woman by herself. 

The woman was transported to the closest hospital and sustained some serious injuries. The hospital reported that the unborn child died the next day as a result of her injuries from the crash. 

As a Georgia DUI Lawyer, I see charges of leaving the scene of an accident in Georgia frequently because these charges are often associated with DUI in Georgia. 

Leaving the Scene of an Accident in Georgia

Leaving the scene of an accident is also known as a hit and run in Georgia. Georgia Law outlines two requirements for the offense. First, the driver must be involved in a car accident. Second, the driver must leave the scene of the accident before fulfilling his or her obligations as prescribed by law.

The legal obligations of all drivers involved in accidents are as follows:

• Exchange personal information with other involved parties (name, address, vehicle registration information)
• Display a valid driver's license upon request
• Provide reasonable assistance to anyone who was injured in the accident and/or transport him or her to the closest medical facility for treatment, if necessary, and
• Contact emergency medical services and police. O.C.G.A. §40-6-270.

Practice Note

If the facts in the above-mentioned story are true, then Ramos was legally required to remain at the scene of the accident until all of his obligations had been fulfilled. This is true regardless of whether or not he caused the accident. If he was involved in the accident in any way then he was obligated to stay. 

A hit and run accident in Georgia involving personal injury or property damage to an occupied vehicle is considered a felony offense. Penalties for a felony hit and run conviction can include 1 to 5 years in prison, criminal fines, probation, and suspension of the driver's license.

If the hit and run accident does not involve personal injury or occupied vehicles, then there is a possibility that it could be classified as a misdemeanor. 

Therefore, Ramos is facing some serious charges and penalties right now. The offense will be aggravated if it is determined that alcohol or drugs were involved, which means the Georgia DUI Penalties will be greatly increased.

It is important for me to note, however, as a Georgia DUI Attorney, that wrongful accusations do happen. Ramos might not have been involved or he may have been wrongfully identified in the accident. That doesn't change the fact that as of right now he is facing some serious consequences.