HF 524 – Leaving scene of an accident

HF 524 applies the mandatory license revocation provision under Iowa Code section 321.209 for a driver who knows or has reason to believe that the driver’s vehicle was involved in an accident resulting in injury to or death of a person. It provides that if a driver knows or has reason to believe that the driver’s vehicle was involved and caused an accident resulting in an injury to or death of a person, the driver must immediately stop the driver’s vehicle at the scene. If the driver leaves the scene and later discovers the driver’s vehicle was involved in such an accident, the driver must make a good-faith effort to immediately contact emergency services.

The bill expands the penalties applicable under Iowa Code section 321.261 to include:

• Any person failing to stop or to comply with the requirements to stop under this section, who causes an accident resulting in a serious injury to any person, is guilty of a Class D felony.
• A person failing to stop or to comply with the requirements of this section, who causes an accident resulting in the death of a person, is guilty of a Class C felony. [5/5: 48-0 (Excused: Hogg, Nunn)]