House Judiciary advances bill to raise penalties for hit-and-run crashes involving serious injury or death

Representative Smith presented House Bill 111 to the House Judiciary Committee on behalf of constituents who were struck and left at the scene of collisions. The bill would add a knowledge element to existing hit-and-run statutes and increase maximum penalties for failing to stop after an accident that results in serious bodily injury or death.

The bill drew testimony from Chief Matt Johnson, Torrington Police Department, who described two cases in his community since 2021 in which pedestrians were struck, suffered long-term injuries and medical bills totaling “hundreds of thousands of dollars,” and whose drivers were ultimately convicted only of misdemeanors under current law. "We feel like given the, pretty serious nature of this, and the horrific impact that it has on victims and their families, that this is a crime that ought to qualify for felony," Chief Johnson said.

Torrington resident Andrea Griffin described being struck on Oct. 26, 2022, in a marked crosswalk and left on the roadway. Griffin said she sustained multiple skull fractures, arm and hip injuries, and long-term nerve damage. "This bill is extremely important to me," Griffin told the committee, describing months of hospitalization, rehabilitation and hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills.

Supporters told the committee the change would close what prosecutors and law enforcement see as a statutory gap that can leave drivers who flee the scene facing only misdemeanor charges unless intoxication, reckless conduct, or specific intent can be shown. Chief Johnson and witnesses urged adding an element that the driver was "knowingly" involved in the accident and granting courts discretion to impose felony penalties in the most severe cases; testimony proposed raising the maximum penalty from one year and $5,000 to five years and $50,000 for qualifying offenses.

Alan Thompson, executive director of WASCOP (the chiefs and sheriffs association), and Lieutenant Colonel Karl Germain also testified in support, saying the change would provide prosecutors and judges more appropriate sentencing options and better recourse for victims. Committee members asked detailed questions about how the "knowingly" element would be proved, whether intoxication statutes (0.08 BAC DUI rules) already elevate vehicular homicide charges, and the line between accidental collisions and conduct that shows knowledge of injury.

After public testimony and committee questions, the committee voted to move the bill out of committee. Representative Singh moved the bill and Representative Webb seconded. A roll-call on the motion recorded nine ayes from members present: Representative Bridal, Representative Breton, Representative Chesty, Representative Feiler, Representative Kelly, Representative Lean, Representative Singh, Representative Webb and the committee chair. The motion carried; the bill will be the sponsor's on the floor.

No final changes to statutory text were adopted in committee; an amendment offered to make the bill effective immediately failed. Committee members and witnesses said they expect the bill to be discussed further on the floor and in subsequent proceedings.

Ending: Committee action sent House Bill 111 to the full House. Lawmakers and law enforcement said the change aims to give prosecutors and judges more leeway to seek penalties they consider proportionate in cases of serious injury or death when a driver flees the scene.