On April 4, 2011, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed House Bill 208. If this bill becomes law, drunk drivers who flee the scene of an accident will not be able to receive less prison time than those who stop and provide aid to the injured victim. A loophole in PA’s current laws actually encourage drunk drivers to flee the scene of an accident according to the bill’s author, Rep. Dave Reed.
Currently, a fatal hit and run conviction is a 3rd degree felony with a mandatory minimum prison term of 1 year. A drunk driver who is engaged in an accident that results in serious injury or death is guilty of a 2nd degree felony with a 3 year minimum prison sentence. This discrepancy encourages drunk drivers to flee the scene of serious accidents. The proposed bill would make the prison sentences identical in either fact situation.
If you or a family member have been seriously injured in a PA car crash, please consider hiring an experienced Pennsylvania auto accident lawyer. I have been representing PA car crash victims for 30 years. Please call 800-980-4842 for a free home consultation. My website contains valuable information regarding what to do after you’ve been injured in an accident – NewellLaw.com.
