As reported by Katie Mulvaney in the June 5 and 6, 2012 editions of the Providence Journal, a Woonsocket woman has been sentenced in a hit and run case. The woman was found guilty of hit and run – injury resulting. The Superior Court Judge sentenced her to ten (10) years imprisonment with one (1) year to serve at the ACI, two (2) years of home confinement and seven (7) years of probation. In addition, she will lose her license for two (2) years, have to undergo blood alcohol tests and must have an ignition interlock device in her car.
Pursuant to Rhode Island General Laws 31-26-1, duty to stop in an accident resulting in personal injury is defined as the driver of any vehicle knowingly involved in an accident resulting in injury to, serious bodily injury to, or death of any person shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident or as close to it as possible, but shall then immediately return to and in every event shall remain at the scene of the accident until he or she has fulfilled the requirements of § 31-26-3. A stop shall be made without obstructing traffic more than is necessary. As used in this subsection, "serious bodily injury" means physical injury that creates a substantial risk of death or causes serious physical disfigurement or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ.
Any person knowingly failing to stop or to comply with the requirements under circumstances which result in serious bodily injury to any person shall upon conviction be punished as follows imprisonment for not less than one year and for not more than ten (10) years and by a fine of not less than one thousand dollars ($1,000), nor more than five thousand dollars ($5,000). The sentencing judge shall have the discretion to sentence the person to any unit of the adult correctional institutions. Additionally, the license of the person may be revoked for a period of up to two (2) years. The license privilege shall not be reinstated until evidence satisfactory to the administrator of the division of motor vehicles establishes that no grounds exist which would authorize refusal to issue a license and until the person gives proof of financial responsibility pursuant to chapter 32 of this title.
If you or a family member have been charged with hit and run – serious injury resulting, drunk driving (DUI) – serious injury resulting or other driving offenses, please allow Attorney Robert H. Humphrey's reputation, experience and skill to successfully guide you through the legal process. Please contact Attorney Robert H. Humphrey, Esq., at 401-816-5862 or e-mail him at rhh@rhumphreylaw.com.