Georgia Driver Arrested for Felony Hit and Run That Killed Local Father

A woman has been arrested after hitting a pedestrian who was crossing a road in Cobb County.

According to reports, the driver allegedly hit the pedestrian and then fled the scene of the accident. The man died at the scene of the accident. Someone called the police and reported damage to the woman's vehicle after seeing it in public.

As a Georgia DUI Lawyer, crimes such as hit and run or vehicular homicide in Georgia are in my area of law. Georgia DUI Law encompasses much more than just DUI in Georgia. In today's post, I will outline the law behind the crime of Hit and Run in Georgia.

Hit and Run in Georgia

The criminal offense of hit and run is defined by Georgia Law in O.C.G.A. §40-6-270. This statute outlines the different legal duties of a driver if involved in an 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.

Hit and run can be classified as a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the results of the accident. If such accident is the proximate cause of death or a serious injury, any person knowingly failing to stop and comply with the requirements 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 such accident is the proximate cause of an injury other than a serious injury or if such accident resulted in damage to a vehicle which is driven or attended by any person, any person knowingly failing to stop or comply with the requirements of this Code section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be fined not less than $300.00 nor more than $1,000.00, which fine shall not be subject to suspension, stay, or probation, or imprisoned for up to 12 months, or both.

Practice Note

Contact our lawyers today if you or a loved one has been arrested for a crime in the state of Georgia. We can help you now.