Section 4549.02 - Stopping after accident on public roads or highways(A)(1) In the case of a motor vehicle accident or collision with persons or property on a public road or highway, the operator of the motor vehicle, having knowledge of the accident or collision, immediately shall stop the operator's motor vehicle at the scene of the accident or collision. The operator shall remain at the scene of the accident or collision until the operator has given the operator's name and address and, if the operator is not the owner, the name and address of the owner of that motor vehicle, together with the registered number of that motor vehicle, to all of the following:(a) Any person injured in the accident or collision;(b) The operator, occupant, owner, or attendant of any motor vehicle damaged in the accident or collision;(c) The police officer at the scene of the accident or collision.(2) In the event an injured person is unable to comprehend and record the information required to be given under division (A)(1) of this section, the other operator involved in the accident or collision shall notify the nearest police authority concerning the location of the accident or collision, and the operator's name, address, and the registered number of the motor vehicle the operator was operating. The operator shall remain at the scene of the accident or collision until a police officer arrives, unless removed from the scene by an emergency vehicle operated by a political subdivision or an ambulance.(3) If the accident or collision is with an unoccupied or unattended motor vehicle, the operator who collides with the motor vehicle shall securely attach the information required to be given in this section, in writing, to a conspicuous place in or on the unoccupied or unattended motor vehicle.(B)(1) Whoever violates division (A) of this section is guilty of failure to stop after an accident. Except as otherwise provided in division (B)(2) or (3) of this section, failure to stop after an accident is a misdemeanor of the first degree.(2) If the accident or collision results in serious physical harm to a person, failure to stop after an accident is whichever of the following is applicable: (a) Except as otherwise provided in division (B)(2)(b) of this section, a felony of the fifth degree;(b) If the offender knew that the accident or collision resulted in serious physical harm to a person, a felony of the fourth degree.(3) If the accident or collision results in the death of a person, failure to stop after an accident is whichever of the following is applicable: (a) Except as provided in division (B)(3)(b) of this section, a felony of the third degree;(b) If the offender knew that the accident or collision resulted in the death of a person, a felony of the second degree.(4) In all cases, the court, in addition to any other penalties provided by law, shall impose upon the offender a class five suspension of the offender's driver's license, commercial driver's license, temporary instruction permit, probationary license, or nonresident operating privilege from the range specified in division (A)(5) of section 4510.02 of the Revised Code. No judge shall suspend the first six months of suspension of an offender's license, permit, or privilege required by this division. The offender shall provide the court with proof of financial responsibility as defined in section 4509.01 of the Revised Code. If the offender fails to provide that proof of financial responsibility, then, in addition to any other penalties provided by law, the court may order restitution pursuant to section 2929.18 or 2929.28 of the Revised Code in an amount not exceeding five thousand dollars for any economic loss arising from an accident or collision that was the direct and proximate result of the offender's operation of the motor vehicle before, during, or after committing the offense charged under this section.
Amended by 131st General Assembly, HB 110,§1, eff. 9/13/2016.Amended by 129th General Assembly, HB 5, §1, eff. 9/23/2011.Amended by 128th General Assembly, HB 338, §1, eff. 9/17/2010.Effective Date: 2004 SB123 01-01-2004; 2004 HB50 01-01-2004