Driver Purposely Rams Police Car on I-285

DeKalb County authorities arrested a woman today after she allegedly repeatedly rammed her vehicle into a police cruiser.

Officers reported that they attempted to stop the driver because the vehicle she was driving was related to a prior hit and run accident. When officers tried to pull her over, the woman rammed her car into one of the police cars and then struck another car. No injuries were reported - however, the incident occurred on the inner loop of I-285 and narrowed traffic down to all but one lane.

In today's post, I will outline the lawful duties that a driver has to complete when involved in a car accident in the state of Georgia. A violation of this list of duties typically results in a charge of hit and run or leaving the scene of an accident in Georgia.

Hit and Run in Georgia

Hit and run in Georgia occurs when a driver violates the legal responsibilities laid out in the Georgia Code pertaining to when a driver gets into an accident. It is completely irrelevant whether or not a driver is the cause of the accident or is the victim of the accident.

The law is as follows:

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.

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.

Hit and run can be classified as either a misdemeanor or a felony offense. It is completely dependent upon the circumstances of the crime.

Practice Note

The female driver in the story above is most likely facing some very serious charges including some felonies. If you or a loved one has been arrested, contact a Georgia DUI Attorney today.