Fatal Accident Reported After Hit and Run in West Atlanta

Atlanta Municipal Court

Atlanta, Ga. - According to reports out of West Atlanta, two drivers are dead after a police chase resulted in a crash. Police reported that the initial driver was involved in a very minor accident earlier in the evening. He then sped away from the scene.

He was then involved in a head-on collision at another intersection. That is where he and the other driver died from the extensive damage caused by the wreck.

As an Atlanta DUI Lawyer, I will focus today's post on the first crime allegedly committed by the driver - hit and run. Hit and run charges are commonly seen alongside charges of DUI in Atlanta. Read more about the law 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

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.