Hit and Run Charge in Manassas

October 16, 2017 by Jean Humbrecht

A Hit and Run charge in Manassas can result from failing to stop at the scene of an accident and exchange information with the other driver or property owner.  A Hit and Run charge in Manassas is a crime and can be a misdemeanor or felony depending on the amount of property damage and whether someone was injured or died as a result of the accident.

Hit and Run charges in Manassas result from accidents involving damage to unoccupied property, occupied property, and accidents resulting in injury or death.  Click here for more information on a Hit and Run charge in Manassas involving unoccupied property.  Click here for more information on a Hit and Run charge in Manassas resulting in damage to occupied property.  Click here for more information on a Hit and Run charge in Manassas resulting in injury or death.  For more general information on Manassas Hit and Run charges, click here.

Hit and Run Charge in Manassas
hit and run charge in Manassas

A Hit and Run Charge in Manassas is a Crime

Va. Code §46.2-894 requires a Virginia driver that is involved in an accident to stop as close to the scene as possible and exchange information with the other driver.  He must give the other driver his name, address, driver’s license number, and vehicle registration information.  If the accident involved unoccupied property, the driver must make a reasonable effort to locate the owner.  If the driver cannot locate the owner, he must leave a note with all of the required information, his contact information, and report the accident to the police within 24 hours.  Failure to follow these steps will result in a Hit and Run charge in Manassas.

Proof of Hit and Run Charge in Manassas

A driver can be convicted of a Hit and Run charge in Manassas if his vehicle made physical contact with another vehicle, person, or object, the driver knew or should have known of property damage or injury, and the driver failed to stop and provide the required information.

Passenger Duty to Report Manassas Hit and Run

Passengers over 16 years old involved in a Manassas Hit and Run must report the accident if the driver fails to do so.  If a passenger knows that a driver did not report a Hit and Run and does not report it himself, he can be charged with a Hit and Run under Va. Code §46.2-895 (accident involving damage to occupied property, injury or death) or Va. Code §46.2-897 (accident involving damage to unoccupied property).  If the accident resulted only in property damage, the charge is a misdemeanor.  If the Hit and Run resulted in injury or death, the passenger can be convicted of a felony.

Penalties for a Hit and Run Charge in Manassas

A Hit and Run charge in Manassas is punished with jail, fines, driver’s license suspension or revocation, and automatic DMV demerit points.

A Hit and Run Charge in Manassas Involving Unoccupied Property is a Misdemeanor

Penalties for Driver Convicted of Hit and Run Charge in Manassas
  • Unoccupied Property (Damage Less than $250): This charge is a Class 4 misdemeanor, punished with a fine up to $250 and 3 demerit points will be added to the offender’s Virginia driving record.
  • Unoccupied Property (Damage More than $250 but less Than $500): This offense is a Class 1 misdemeanor, punished with up to 12 months in jail, a fine up to $2,500, and 3 DMV demerit points.
  • Unoccupied Property (Damage More than $500): This charge is a Class 1 misdemeanor, punished with up to 12 months in jail, a fine up to $2,500, driver’s license suspension for up to 6 months, and the DMV will add 4 demerit points to the offender’s Virginia driving record.
  • Occupied Property (Damage Less than $1,000): This offense is a Class 1 misdemeanor, punished with up to 12 months in jail, a fine up to $2,500, and 4 DMV demerit points.  If the property damage exceeded $500, the offender’s driver’s license can be suspended for up to 6 months.
  • Occupied Property (Damage More than $1,000): A Hit and Run charge in Manassas involving occupied property and resulting in more than $1,000 in damage is a Class 5 felony, punished with up to 10 years in prison, a fine up to $2,500, and automatic driver’s license revocation for one year.  The DMV will also add 6 demerit points to the offender’s Virginia driving record.
  • Injury or Death: A Hit and Run charge in Manassas resulting in injury or death is a Class 5 felony, punished with up to 10 years in prison, a fine up to $2,500, driver’s license revocation for one year, and 6 DMV demerit points.
Penalties for Passenger in Vehicle Convicted of Hit and Run Charge in Manassas
  • Unoccupied Property (Damage Less Than $250): A passenger who fails to report a Hit and Run in Manassas resulting in less than $250 in damage to unattended property has committed a Class 4 misdemeanor, punished with a fine up to $250.  Additionally, the DMV will add 3 demerit points to the offender’s Virginia driving record.
  • Unoccupied Property (Damage More Than $250) or Occupied Property: This offense is a Class 1 misdemeanor, punished with up to 12 months in jail, a fine up to $2,500, and if the property damage exceeded $500, driver’s license suspension for up to 6 months.
  • Injury or Death: A passenger convicted of a Hit and Run in Manassas resulting in injury or death has committed a Class 6 felony, punished with up to 5 years in prison, a fine up to $2,500, and automatic driver’s license revocation for one year.

 

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