BILL REQ. #: H-3965.1
State of Washington | 61st Legislature | 2010 Regular Session |
Read first time 01/12/10. Referred to Committee on Judiciary.
AN ACT Relating to hit and run provisions; amending RCW 46.52.020; and reenacting and amending RCW 9.94A.515.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
Sec. 1 RCW 46.52.020 and 2002 c 194 s 1 are each amended to read
as follows:
(1) A driver of any vehicle involved in an accident ((resulting in
the injury to or death of any person or)) involving striking the body
of a deceased person shall immediately stop such vehicle at the scene
of such accident or as close thereto as possible but shall then
forthwith return to, and in every event remain at, the scene of such
accident until he or she has fulfilled the requirements of subsection
(((3))) (5) of this section; every such stop shall be made without
obstructing traffic more than is necessary.
(2) A driver of any vehicle involved in an accident resulting in
the death of a pedestrian, bicyclist, or motorcyclist shall immediately
stop such vehicle at the scene of such accident or as close thereto as
possible but shall then forthwith return to, and in every event remain
at, the scene of such accident until he or she has fulfilled the
requirements of subsection (5) of this section.
(3) A driver of any vehicle involved in an accident resulting in
the injury of a pedestrian, bicyclist, or motorcyclist shall
immediately stop such vehicle at the scene of such accident or as close
thereto as possible but shall then forthwith return to, and in every
event remain at, the scene of such accident until he or she has
fulfilled the requirements of subsection (5) of this section.
(4)(a) The driver of any vehicle involved in an accident resulting
only in damage to a vehicle which is driven or attended by any person
or damage to other property must move the vehicle as soon as possible
off the roadway or freeway main lanes, shoulders, medians, and adjacent
areas to a location on an exit ramp shoulder, the frontage road, the
nearest suitable cross street, or other suitable location. The driver
shall remain at the suitable location until he or she has fulfilled the
requirements of subsection (((3))) (5) of this section. Moving the
vehicle in no way affects fault for an accident.
(b) A law enforcement officer or representative of the department
of transportation may cause a motor vehicle, cargo, or debris to be
moved from the roadway; and neither the department of transportation
representative, nor anyone acting under the direction of the officer or
the department of transportation representative is liable for damage to
the motor vehicle, cargo, or debris caused by reasonable efforts of
removal.
(((3))) (5) Unless otherwise provided in subsection (((7))) (9) of
this section the driver of any vehicle involved in an accident
resulting in injury to or death of any person, or involving striking
the body of a deceased person, or resulting in damage to any vehicle
which is driven or attended by any person or damage to other property
shall (a) give his or her name, address, insurance company, insurance
policy number, and vehicle license number and shall exhibit his or her
vehicle driver's license to any person struck or injured or the driver
or any occupant of, or any person attending, any such vehicle collided
with ((and shall)), (b) render to any person injured in such accident
reasonable assistance, including the carrying or the making of
arrangements for the carrying of such person to a physician or hospital
for medical treatment if it is apparent that such treatment is
necessary or if such carrying is requested by the injured person or on
his or her behalf, and (c) contact law enforcement or emergency
personnel. Under no circumstances shall the rendering of assistance or
other compliance with the provisions of this subsection be evidence of
the liability of any driver for such accident.
(((4))) (6)(a) Any driver covered by the provisions of subsections
(1) through (3) of this section failing to stop or comply with any of
the requirements of subsection (((3))) (5) of this section in the case
of an accident resulting in death is guilty of a class B felony and,
upon conviction, is punishable according to chapter 9A.20 RCW.
(b) Any driver covered by the provisions of subsections (((1))) (2)
and (3) of this section failing to stop or comply with any of the
requirements of subsection (((3))) (5) of this section in the case of
an accident resulting in injury is guilty of a class C felony and, upon
conviction, is punishable according to chapter 9A.20 RCW.
(c) Any driver covered by the provisions of subsections (1) through
(3) of this section failing to stop or comply with any of the
requirements of subsection (((3))) (5) of this section in the case of
an accident involving striking the body of a deceased person is guilty
of a gross misdemeanor.
(d) This subsection shall not apply to any person injured or
incapacitated by such accident to the extent of being physically
incapable of complying with this section.
(((5))) (7) Any driver covered by the provisions of subsection
(((2))) (4) of this section failing to stop or to comply with any of
the requirements of subsection (((3))) (5) of this section under said
circumstances shall be guilty of a gross misdemeanor: PROVIDED, That
this provision shall not apply to any person injured or incapacitated
by such accident to the extent of being physically incapable of
complying herewith.
(((6))) (8) The license or permit to drive or any nonresident
privilege to drive of any person convicted under this section or any
local ordinance consisting of substantially the same language as this
section of failure to stop and give information or render aid following
an accident with any vehicle driven or attended by any person shall be
revoked by the department.
(((7))) (9) If none of the persons specified are in condition to
receive the information to which they otherwise would be entitled under
subsection (((3))) (5) of this section, and no police officer is
present, the driver of any vehicle involved in such accident after
fulfilling all other requirements of subsections (1) ((and (3)))
through (5) of this section insofar as possible on his or her part to
be performed, shall forthwith report such accident to the nearest
office of the duly authorized police authority and submit thereto the
information specified in subsection (((3))) (5) of this section.
Sec. 2 RCW 9.94A.515 and 2008 c 108 s 23 and 2008 c 38 s 1 are
each reenacted and amended to read as follows:
TABLE 2 | ||
CRIMES INCLUDED WITHIN EACH SERIOUSNESS LEVEL | ||
XVI | ||
XV | ||
XIV | ||
XIII | ||
XII | ||
XI | ||
X | ||
Criminal Mistreatment 1 (RCW 9A.42.020) | ||
IX | ||
VIII | ||
VII | ||
VI | ||
V | ||
IV | ||
III | ||
Escape 2 (RCW 9A.76.120) | ||
II | ||
I | ||