Police Searching for Driver Involved in Fatal Hit-and-Run Accident in West Oak Cliff

hit-and-run

Dallas law enforcement is currently searching for a driver that was involved in a hit-and-run accident that left a pedestrian dead.

According to reports, 50-year-old Vincent Lamb was the victim of a fatal hit-and-run accident that took place near West Oak Cliff. Reports show that Lamb was attempting to cross the street near North Cockrell Hill Road, but when doing so, a motorist driving a black SUV struck him and continued to drive north. Police officers and detectives are fervently searching for the individual who is responsible for this crime, and they are urging anyone with any information to contact Detective Sammy Shaw in reference to case number #133815-2020.

Regardless of the motive or the intention, killing a pedestrian and then leaving the scene is never okay. While some drivers use the excuse of being “afraid of police officers” or “acting impulsively” they must remain at the scene of the accident under situations like these. If they fail to do this, they can face criminal charges. In this situation, the driver may face charges such as leaving the scene of an accident and vehicular manslaughter.

Dallas Hit and Run Laws and Penalties

According to section 550.021 of the Texas Transportation Code, any motorist who is involved in the death or personal injury of another person is required to remain at the scene of the accident until all required information has been given to authorities or other parties. Information such as the name of the driver, home address, insurance, driver’s license number, and vehicle registration number must be provided before the individual is allowed to leave.

Leaving the scene of an accident is a serious crime that will carry serious consequences. Individuals who have been convicted of leaving the scene of an accident that involved injury can result in five years in jail as well as a fine that could be as expensive as $5,000. However, if the accident involved death or serious personal injury, this could result in upgraded penalties including 10 years of imprisonment as well as a $10,000 fine.

Texas Penal Code Ann. § 19.04 provides in-depth knowledge of the definition of vehicular manslaughter. According to this statute, an individual is guilty of this crime if they recklessly cause the death of another person while operating a motor vehicle. This crime is typically classified as a second-degree felony, and individuals who are convicted can expect to spend a maximum of 20 years behind bars in addition to a mandatory fine that could be as expensive as $10,000. 

Find a Dallas Hit and Run Defense Lawyer | Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy

The person who is responsible for this fatality must be brought to justice. When you are driving a vehicle on a public roadway, you must understand that there are countless factors you must remain aware of at all times. Motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians have the same right to the road as individuals operating motor vehicles, and they have only a fraction of the protection as those who are sitting behind the wheel.

The Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy extend our condolences to the individuals who have been affected by this fatal event. As criminal defense attorneys, we never want the general public to be under the impression we are insensitive towards those affected by crime.

As a criminal defense law firm, we also want to make sure we never lose sight of the law, and the truth is that false charges and wrongful accusations are a bit more common than many people believe them to be. If you are someone who is trying to combat their criminal charges related to vehicular manslaughter, failure to remain at the scene, or any other sort of vehicular crime or traffic violation, you can count on our law firm to defend your honor in a court of law. Led by Richard C. McConathy, our legal team has experience working with individuals residing in Dallas, Denton, Plano, Frisco, and many other cities in the state of Texas. If you are trying to get in touch with a legal defense, contact our team today at (972) 233-5700 to speak to a legal professional and receive your free consultation.

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