Hit and Run in North Metro Atlanta

Atlanta Public Safety Headquarters

Atlanta, Ga. - A story has been making local headlines after a driver has been arrested for a fatal hit and run accident. The driver allegedly was driving under the influence when she lost control of her vehicle and drove up onto the sidewalk of a local road.

A father and his son were walking on the sidewalk and were struck by the vehicle. She left the scene of the accident. The teenage boy was taken to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta where he stayed in critical condition until he passed this week. The driver was located as a result of the damage to the front of her vehicle. She has been arrested on charges of DUI, vehicular homicide, hit and run, reckless driving, and failure to maintain lane.

As an Atlanta DUI Lawyer, I will focus today's post on the offense of reckless driving. Reckless driving is commonly charged alongside DUI in Atlanta. Look at the law below.

Reckless Driving

Georgia Law defines reckless driving in O.C.G.A. §40-6-390 as:

(a) Any person who drives any vehicle in reckless disregard for the safety of persons or property commits the offense of reckless driving.

(b) Every person convicted of reckless driving shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $1,000.00 or imprisonment not to exceed 12 months, or by both such fine and imprisonment, provided that no provision of this Code section shall be construed so as to deprive the court imposing the sentence of the power given by law to stay or suspend the execution of such sentence or to place the defendant on probation.

Therefore, if a driver is found guilty of reckless driving, he or she could face up to a year in jail as well as fines up to $1,000.

Practice Note

Call our offices today if you have been arrested in the Metro Atlanta Area. An Atlanta DUI Attorney can help you today.