A pair of hit-and-run car accidents happened in St. Joseph early this morning, just after midnight. One of the crashes left someone in serious condition. The other involved a police cruiser, but no injuries.
Two Hit-and-Run Car Accidents in St. Joseph
Both hit-and-run car accidents happened at about 1:15am on the morning of Tuesday, January 10, 2017.
The first one involved a white Ford F-150 pickup truck and a police car. The cruiser had responded to another car accident near Mitchell Avenue and 30th Street just after midnight. While on the scene of that accident, the white pickup truck pulled in front of the police car, sideswiping it. The officer was not hurt in the accident, but the police cruiser was damaged enough that it had to be towed. The pickup truck fled the scene.
Police are now looking for the pickup truck, which they have described as an older white Ford F-150, possibly a late 1990s or early 2000s model.
“It should have damage to the right, rear part of the bed,” Sergeant Brett Kelley, with the St. Joseph Police Department, stated.
At nearly the same time, another hit-and-run accident happened on Alabama Street, just to the southwest of downtown St. Joseph. In this accident, a pair of passenger cars collided, seriously injuring the driver of one of the vehicles. The other car involved, however, sped away from the scene of the accident.
The injured driver was rushed to Mosaic Life Care.
Leaving the Scene of the Accident is Illegal
Missouri Statute 577.060.1 makes it illegal to leave the scene of a car crash. Violating this statute can result in a criminal charge for hit-and-run, which can carry penalties of up to four years in jail, if convicted.
What to Do If You’re Involved in a Hit-and-Run
Being in any car accident can be frustrating. The damage to your car and any medical bills that you have to pay for can be daunting. When the other driver tries to flee the scene in an attempt to avoid paying, though, it can make you angry.
Whenever you’re involved in a car accident where the other driver flees the scene, it’s important not to lose hope. Calling the police as quickly as possible is important. It allows them to start their investigation immediately, which can mean the difference between them finding the culprit and them getting away. Additionally, reporting the accident is necessary to get a police report of the crash, which is often required by your insurance company.
St. Joseph Car Accident Attorneys at the Smith Law Office
No one wants to go through a car accident. Unfortunately, they can happen to anyone, at any time.
If you get involved in a car crash in or near St. Joseph, Missouri, you need an attorney from the Smith Law Office to make sure you get the compensation you deserve from your insurance company or from those responsible for your injuries. It’s especially important to have legal help if the other driver tried to get away from the crash.
Contact our personal injury attorneys online or at (816) 875-9373.