Sandy Springs Police Still Requesting Help in Fatal Hit and Run

Sandy Springs Police

Sandy Springs, Ga. - Officer with the Sandy Springs Police Department are still asking for help from the public with the identification of the victim involved in a fatal hit and run accident that happened on Georgia 400 last week.

They have released a description of the victim as well as the information regarding the suspect who is allegedly responsible for her death and for leaving the scene of the accident.

As a Georgia DUI Lawyer, I handle cases involving all types of serious criminal offenses - including hit and run in the state of Georgia. In today's post, I will outline the law behind the crime of hit and run as well as the legal consequences if convicted of the offense.

Hit and Run in Georgia

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

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.

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

The damaged vehicle was discovered in Douglasville. Police seized the vehicle and arrested its owner for hit and run and vehicular homicide in Georgia. This is another of the many offenses that our firm specializes in defending.

If you or a loved one has been accused of committing a serious traffic violation, contact our offices now.