Consequences for hit and run crashes
By: Chelsea Rarrick
Updated: September 21, 2011
There have been at least two hit and run crashes in the last week alone.
Leaving the scene of a crash is a serious crime, one that people seem to be unaware of.
Sgt. Steve Hauck of The Utica Police Department, says with any accident, it's important to always call the police first to avoid further trouble.
He says leaving the scene of the incident can have long standing effects.
Sgt. Hauck points out that if you stay at the scene, it could turn into just a minor offense, but for those who leave, it can turn into a lot more.
He says it's just not worth the risk.
"Sometimes these incidents are really truly just accidents and there's no criminal behavior going on that caused the accident. But just by purely leaving the accident afterwards, now you've created a criminal situation, " said Hauck.
He says if there is someone injured in the crash and you leave the scene, you can be charged up to a D Felony.
Leaving the scene of a crash is a serious crime, one that people seem to be unaware of.
Sgt. Steve Hauck of The Utica Police Department, says with any accident, it's important to always call the police first to avoid further trouble.
He says leaving the scene of the incident can have long standing effects.
Sgt. Hauck points out that if you stay at the scene, it could turn into just a minor offense, but for those who leave, it can turn into a lot more.
He says it's just not worth the risk.
"Sometimes these incidents are really truly just accidents and there's no criminal behavior going on that caused the accident. But just by purely leaving the accident afterwards, now you've created a criminal situation, " said Hauck.
He says if there is someone injured in the crash and you leave the scene, you can be charged up to a D Felony.
