Judiciary committee debates felony hit-and-run language after victims and police urge tougher penalties

House Bill 111, which would add a knowledge requirement and increase penalties for failing to stop after an accident that causes serious bodily injury or death, prompted strong testimony from victims and law enforcement but divided committee members over the bill’s drafting and scope. After extended discussion and proposed revisions, the Senate Judiciary Committee recorded a do-pass/fail recommendation (1 aye, 4 no) on the current draft.

Representative Smith presented the bill as a targeted change to motor-vehicle law to make it easier for prosecutors and law enforcement to pursue more serious charges in hit-and-run cases involving grave injuries. “We are increasing penalties for failing to stop where an accident involves serious bodily injury or death and adding a knowledge requirement,” Representative Smith said, citing a string of hit-and-run incidents in her district including three cases in Torrington since 2021.

Torrington Police Chief Matt Johnson and a Wyoming Highway Patrol trooper described incidents where pedestrians were…