Driver Responsible for Hit and Run in Cobb County Turned Himself in This Week

The driver allegedly responsible for striking an 8-year-old boy with his vehicle has turned himself in this past week to police in Cobb County. According to reports, the driver is being held on charges of felony hit and run.

The young boy is still reportedly in a coma. He was reportedly launched thirty feet down the road as a result of the collision with the vehicle.

As a Georgia DUI Lawyer, I will outline the difference between misdemeanor hit and run and felony hit and run in today's post. Hit and Run in Georgia is a complicated law, and in today's post, I will break it down more simplistically.

Misdemeanor Hit and Run in Georgia

Misdemeanor hit and run in Georgia is defined in O.C.G.A. §40-6-270 in the first part of the statute. 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.

Felony Hit and Run in Georgia

Felony hit and run is defined in the same statute, however, it is in a provision at the bottom of the law. The provision is as follows:

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.

Practice Note

If you or a loved one has been arrested for a serious traffic violation, such as a DUI in Georgia, contact our offices today. A Georgia DUI Attorney can help you now.