Utah Law Talk » hit and run bicycle accident

Hit-and-Run Accident Generates Talk of Stricter Penalties

ronkramerlaw — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 20:47:00 +0000

A recent bicycle hit and run accident has generated talk of tougher legislation on hit-and-run accidents. The most recent hit-and-run happened Tuesday morning at a residential intersection in East Salt Lake. A Utah Law maker says tougher laws against hit-and-run drivers is likely due to the increase in hit-and-run accidents over the last year.

Tuesdays mornings accident happened at 1400 East and 900 South reports KSL News. The car knocked a man off of his bicycle. The driver of the vehicle got out to look at the damage then got back into her car and drove away. “[She] stopped, got out of the car, went over and looked, raised her arms and said something in anguish and then got back in her vehicle and continued northbound on 1400 East,” said Salt Lake police Detective Dennis McGowan.

Obviously a driver is expected to stop during any accident, it is sometimes a matter of life and death. Unfortunately, current laws in hit-and-run accidents are less severe than other states.”You know, it’s possible they’re panicked. Maybe they don’t have a driver’s license. Maybe they’re under the influence of drugs or alcohol,” McGowan said. If they leave and are caught the next day they are usually sober which leaves insufficient evidence for a felony prosecution.

Utah is one of the few states where a hit-and-run is only a misdemeanor, even if the victim dies. “For me, it should never be less of a penalty for somebody to leave the scene and then come back the next day,” Rep. Chris Herrod said. Herrod is already preparing the tougher bill for the next session. “I think it will be easier, unfortunately, next year, just because of the number of accidents we’ve had over the last two months,” he said.

Hit-and-run accidents present a significant struggle for the party involved. Not only do they incur substantial medical complications but they are forced to shoulder the cost of the medical bills because the at-fault party flees the scene.

Man Charged in Wasatch Boulevard Bike Accident

ronkramerlaw — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 17:37:00 +0000

In an incident involving a bicyclist in a hit and run accident, charges were filed against a Holladay man who allegedly hit a bicyclist on Wasatch Boulevard on March 19th and left him on the side of the road. The Deseret News reports that 28 year old, Nicholas T. Murdock was charged Monday with leaving the scene of an accident, obstructing justice, and reckless driving. Witnesses saw the male driver and his female passenger exit a white BMW and look briefly at the bicyclist victim. The driver then opened the trunk of his car to obscure his license plate and drove away. Police later located Murdock who parked his car in his mother’s garage after the accident. His mother gave police consent to search the garage where they located the vehicle.

The accident happened on Wasatch Boulevard near 6500 South. The bicyclist suffered serious bodily injury and is still in the hospital.

Salt Lake Hit and Run Bicycle Accident

ronkramerlaw — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 16:45:00 +0000

A Salt Lake City bicyclist was left in serious condition late Monday, March 31st after a hit and run bicycle accident. The Salt Lake Tribune reports the man was hit about 10 pm near 1400 N. Beck St. (300 West). The bicyclist was riding in the bike lane but Detective Dennis McGowan told reporters that it appears the driver ran over the curb and struck the man in the bicycle lane. The rear of the bike received extensive damage. The bicyclist was found in a business driveway bleeding from his face and head. The man is expected to be alright.

This is a horrible incident and we all hope the police can find the person responsible. Anyone with information about the case is asked to call Salt Lake City police at 801-799-3000.