Post Date: August 18th, 2011
A Butler County, Missouri car accident on MO-142 claimed the life of 18-year-old Alexander C. Metzig, but the driver was no where to be found. On August 14, 2011 just before 10 p.m., Metzig slowed his scooter to make a right turn off of the road. As he slowed his scooter, he was rear-ended by a dark blue truck and the truck took off. Alexander Metzig was pronounced dead by Joe Chapman, the Butler County Deputy Coroner. As a Missouri car accident attorney I was upset to find out that the Missouri State Highway Patrol does not the identity of the driver of the dark blue truck responsible for the hit and run.
A hit and run accident is a crime no matter what state the accident happens. As in all states, Missouri has a hit and run statute. Missouri statute §577.060 prohibits a driver from leaving the scene of a Missouri car accident when “knowing that an injury has been caused to a person or damage has been caused to property, due to his culpability or to accident, he leaves the place of the injury, damage or accident without stopping and giving his [information].” In Missouri a driver has violated the hit and run law if he or she leaves the scene of a Missouri car accident.
Those who leave the scene of the accident can be punished criminally. In a typical hit and run accident, it is a misdemeanor crime. However it will only be charged as a misdemeanor if the Missouri car accident only causes small property damage. As an example, if a driver hits a mailbox at a low speed and leaves the scene, he or she will be a misdemeanor violation of Missouri statute §577.060. If a driver leaves the scene of an accident, it could be considered a class D felony under certain circumstances.
A driver can be charged with a felony in three circumstances. If driver has previously violated the Missouri statute, causes more than $1000 in property damage, or causes injury to another party. When a hit and run driver causes a fatality, he or she could be punished severely. If you have lost a loved one to a hit and run, call 888.956.2487 to speak to an experienced Missouri car accident attorney and let us help you. Our attorneys protect the rights of hit and run accident victims because the family needs closure.
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Joshua P. Myers is the owner and President of Myers Injury Law, LLC and a founding partner of Schultz & Myers, LLC. Based in St. Louis, Missouri, his personal injury law firm routinely handles tractor-trailer accidents that result in personal injury or death throughout the Midwest. If you have been hurt or have lost a loved one due to the negligence of another driver, please contact a truck accident attorney to learn your rights. It is always free to discuss your case and there are never any attorney’s fees until we recover on your behalf.
Tags: Car Accident, fatal car accident, hit and run
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