Z-0268.1  _______________________________________________

                         SENATE BILL 5570

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      56th Legislature     1999 Regular Session

By Senators Costa, Johnson, Kline, Honeyford, Kohl‑Welles, Patterson, Gardner, Winsley and Oke; by request of Washington State Patrol

Read first time 01/28/1999.  Referred to Committee on Judiciary.

Expanding the definition of vehicular assault.

    AN ACT Relating to vehicular assault; and amending RCW 46.61.522.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

    Sec. 1.  RCW 46.61.522 and 1996 c 199 s 8 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1) A person is guilty of vehicular assault if he operates or drives any vehicle:

    (a) In a reckless manner, and this conduct is the proximate cause of serious bodily injury to another; ((or))

    (b) While under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug, as defined by RCW 46.61.502, and this conduct is the proximate cause of serious bodily injury to another; or

(c) With disregard for the safety of others, and this conduct is the proximate cause of serious bodily injury to another.

    (2) "Serious bodily injury" means bodily injury which involves a substantial risk of death, serious permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any part or organ of the body.

    (3) Vehicular assault is a class B felony punishable under chapter 9A.20 RCW.

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