Fatal Hit and Run Investigated in DeKalb County

Investigators and authorities are still looking into a fatal hit and run accident that occurred in DeKalb County last night. According to police, a truck driver hit and killed a motorcyclist off of Bouldercrest Road just south of I-285.

The driver neglected to stop. From what authorities have gathered, it appears that the driver was pulling out of the gas station when he hit the motorcyclist. As of right now the case is still very much under investigation.

As a Georgia DUI Lawyer, I am very familiar with the law behind serious traffic violations such as hit and run or DUI in Georgia. In today's post, I will outline the legal responsibilities that a driver has if he or she is in an accident within the state of Georgia. If a driver fails to take care of these responsibilities, then he or she will be facing a charge of hit and run.

Hit and Run in Georgia

Hit and Run in Georgia is defined by Georgia Law in O.C.G.A. §40-6-270 as:

(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.

Practice Note

If you or a loved one has been arrested for a serious traffic crime, contact our offices now. We can help you today.