When an accident occurs, sometimes a person's initial reaction might be to run or drive away from the scene. However, leaving the scene of an accident can lead to misdemeanor charges. Instead of running from the scene, it is best for a person to stay and face a traffic violation, if one has been committed.
In a recent Oregon case, a man suspected of hit-and-run turned himself in to the police. In this case, the accident occurred on Halloween in Southeast Portland. According to authorities, the man ran into the back of another man's car. The driver of the other car and his passenger were unharmed in the accident. That driver approached the man's car after the accident, and authorities claim that it was at this time the man fled the scene.
The other driver followed the man and tried to block him into a parking spot. However, the man hit the car again and left. Before the man left the accident scene, the driver who was hit took a picture of the man. Police were able to identify the man in the picture and began looking for him. His name and picture were in the local news. On Nov. 9, the man turned himself in to police.
The man was charged with failing to perform duties of a driver, a misdemeanor. He could also be charged with other crimes including criminal mischief, reckless endangerment and reckless driving.
While many people may think that traffic offenses are not a serious issue, they can often spin into a big problem with serious consequences, including the loss of one's driver's license. By seeking an experienced criminal defense attorney, those accused of misdemeanor traffic offenses may be able to mitigate penalties and keep their driver's licenses.
Source: The Oregonian, "Halloween hit-and-run suspect turns himself in to police," Victoria Edwards, Nov. 9, 2012
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