Atlanta Police Officer Hit on Interstate 20 East

Atlanta Municipal Court

Atlanta, Ga. – An officer with the Atlanta Police Department was struck by a vehicle on I-20 East near the Flat Shoals Road exit.

According to reports, the driver did not stop and kept driving away from the incident. The officer was in the middle of an investigation for another accident when he was struck. He was able to radio in a description of the offending vehicle before going to the hospital.

As an Atlanta DUI Lawyer, I will outline the law behind hit and run in today's post.

Hit and Run

Hit and Run is defined in the Georgia Code in O.C.G.A. §40-6-270. 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 it is determined that the accident is the proximate cause of death or a serious injury, any person knowingly failing to stop and comply with the requirements will be found guilty of a felony. The penalty for a conviction of leaving the scene of an accident include up to five years in prison.

Practice Note

If you have been accused of leaving the scene of an accident or driving under the influence, call our offices now. We can help you with your case immediately.