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  • 25 Nov 2014

An article last week reported that a 75-year old man had been struck and killed by a hit and run driver in Hill County, Texas. Reports indicated that the police were searching for a suspect, who they say committed the offense while driving a stolen vehicle; police add that the suspect has an extensive criminal history.

If you read about this tragedy in isolation, you might be tempted to conclude that hit and run, or leaving the scene of an accident, is a crime that is committed by career criminals, and that examples are relatively rare. Well, you’d be wrong by a longshot.

The Austin Police Department tells us that they are called on to investigate more than 800 hit and run cases each month. That’s about 10,000 per year, a number that is probably shocking to most of us. Obviously, this is not a crime that is committed only by those with a criminal history. It literally happens all the time. The overwhelming number of these reports falls on the shoulders of four Austin PD detectives, clearly not enough manpower to handle the job.

While the sheer number of hit and runs is almost mind-boggling, the situation is not as bad as you might think. First, it is clear that those cases in which there is a death or serious injury receive appropriate attention. Second, and perhaps more to the point, when we read about people leaving the scene of an accident, it’s usually a case when there is a death, a significant injury, or substantial property damage. But the fact is that most of these cases are relatively minor, including getting a small “ding” on your fender or car door in a supermarket parking lot.

We would all hope that publicizing of reports on hit and run cases would make people less likely to leave the scene of an accident. The Texas legislature has also increased the penalty in certain cases. But, as we mentioned, a lot of these incidents involve minor damage, and are classified as misdemeanors. For that reason, we don’t see the recent changes in the laws, or the increased publicity, as leading to much of a reduction in the overall numbers.

Law Office of David D. White, PLLC
1201 Rio Grande Street #200
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 369-3737

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This Website is meant for marketing purposes only. The website and communications through it do not constitute a client-attorney relationship. David White is a criminal defense attorney with offices in Austin Texas. David defends clients throughout Austin and the surrounding areas.

Law Office of David D. White, PLLC
608 W. 12TH ST.
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 369-3737
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