Hit and Run Reduced 2

State v. Mr. P. (San Marcos Justice Court No. TR2006166071): Mr. P. was driving his friend’s car (in which his friend was a passenger), when they had a collision with the containment wall on the I-10. The passenger had struck his head, and Mr. P. drove to an apartment complex parking lot where parked the vehicle and walked away. His passenger then called 911 and police made contact with Mr. P. They were not going to arrest him for DUI because too much time had passed, yet they did cite him for Hit & Run. We were able to show that since his passenger knew who he was and where to find him, this was not truly “leaving the scene of an accident” without an exchange of information. The State agreed and amended the charge to a civil speeding ticket with a minor fine.

(Mesa Municipal Court No. 2006056073): Mr. B. was driving with his wife when another vehicle pulled out directly in front of him. The other vehicle kept cutting off Mr. B. and was slamming on his brakes. The other driver slammed on his brakes and caused Mr. B. to rear-end him. The other driver took off, and Mr. B. pulled over to check out the damage to his vehicle. When Mr. B. was back on the roadway, the other driver pulled up next to him and said he had called police. We were able to show that Mr. B. had not absconded from the area, therefore the criminal charge was dismissed and he was issued only a speeding ticket.