Driver Accused of Fatal Hit and Run in Austell

Cobb County Courthouse

Austell, Ga. - According to reports out of Mableton, a man has been accused of stealing a vehicle from a local residence.

This led to him speeding down a residential road and eventually being unable to properly navigate a turn. The stolen vehicle left the roadway. There were two passengers in the car that were ejected from the vehicle. Both passengers died at the scene, but the driver was able to get away.

As a Austell DUI Lawyer, I will cover the law behind the offense of hit and run. Hit and run charges are often seen alongside charges for DUI in Austell. Read below.

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

Our firm exclusively focuses on DUI law and all related offenses. Contact our offices now.