Passengers Involved in a Manassas Hit and Run can be Charged with a Misdemeanor or a Felony
Duties Imposed on Passengers Involved in A Manassas Hit and Run
Virginia drivers involved in any car accident, no matter how minor, are required to provide certain information to the owner of the other property involved or the police. If a driver fails to make the necessary reporting or make a reasonable effort to locate the property owner, he can be charged with a Manassas Hit and Run.
Additionally, Virginia imposes certain duties on passengers in vehicles that are involved in accidents. Any passenger over the age of 16 who was involved in an accident must report the accident to the police within 24 hours if he knows the driver did not report it. He must provide his name, address, and the other information the driver was required to report (to the extent he knows the information).
If the hit and run involved damage to unoccupied property, the passenger will be charged with a misdemeanor under Va. Code §46.2-897. If the accident involved damage to occupied property, injury or death, the passenger will be charged with a misdemeanor or a felony under Va. Code §46.2-895.
Proof Required to Convict Passengers Involved In A Manassas Hit and Run
To convict passengers involved in a Virginia Hit and Run, the Commonwealth must prove that the offender:
- was a passenger
- in a vehicle involved in an accident
- was aware of the accident
- was 16 or older
- knew the driver failed to make the necessary report, and
- failed to report the accident to the police himself within 24 hours
Penalties for Passengers who Fail to Report an Accident
Passengers involved in a Manassas Hit and Run who fail to report the accident can be charged with a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the severity of the accident and if anyone was injured or killed.
- Unoccupied Property, Damage Less Than $250: If the accident involved unoccupied property, passengers involved in a Manassas Hit and Run who fail to report the accident will be charged with a Class 4 misdemeanor. This offense is punished with a fine up to $250.
- Unoccupied or Occupied Property, Damage More than $250: Passengers involved in a Manassas Hit and Run will be charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor if the accident resulted in more than $250 worth of damage to unoccupied property or any damage to occupied property. This offense is punished with up to 12 months in jail and a fine up to $2,500. Additionally, if the property damage exceeded $500, the offender’s driver’s license can be suspended for up to 6 months.
- Injury or Death: Passengers involved in a Manassas Hit and Run in which someone was injured or killed who fail to report the accident will be charged with a Class 6 felony, which is punished with up to 5 years in prison and a fine up to $2,500.