257.617 Accident resulting in serious impairment of body function or death; stopping required; reporting to police agency or officer; violation as felony; penalty.

318 words·~1 min read·/mi/chapter-257/257-617

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

Sec. 617.

(1)The driver of a vehicle who knows or who has reason to believe that he or she has been involved in an accident upon public or private property that is open to travel by the public shall immediately stop his or her vehicle at the scene of the accident and shall remain there until the requirements of section 619 are fulfilled or immediately report the accident to the nearest or most convenient police agency or officer to fulfill the requirements of section 619(a) and

(b)if there is a reasonable and honest belief that remaining at the scene will result in further harm. The stop shall be made without obstructing traffic more than is necessary.

(2)Except as provided in subsection (3), if the individual violates subsection

(1)and the accident results in serious impairment of a body function or death, the individual is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 5 years or by a fine of not more than $5,000.00, or both.

(3)If the individual violates subsection

(1)following an accident caused by that individual and the accident results in the death of another individual, the individual is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 15 years or a fine of not more than $10,000.00, or both.

History: 1949, Act 300, Eff. Sept. 23, 1949 ;-- Am. 1951, Act 270, Eff. Sept. 28, 1951 ;-- Am. 1956, Act 22, Eff. Aug. 11, 1956 ;-- Am. 1958, Act 35, Eff. Sept. 13, 1958 ;-- Am. 1975, Act 170, Eff. Mar. 31, 1976 ;-- Am. 1989, Act 267, Eff. Mar. 29, 1990 ;-- Am. 2001, Act 159 , Eff. Feb. 1, 2002 ;-- Am. 2005, Act 3 , Imd. Eff. Apr. 1, 2005