Ask a Trooper by Troy Christianson

Troy Christianson is a sergeant with the Minnesota State Patrol.

Question: There was a story in the news about a recent hit-and-run fatal crash where the State Patrol was looking for the public’s help in locating the vehicle that fled. How many hit-and-run incidents are there in Minnesota and what is the law that covers this? 

 

Answer:  As a State Patrol public information officer, I will ask the media to assist us in identifying a driver or vehicle in a hit-and-run type incident.

Below are hit-and-run crash statistics from the past two years:

 

2014 hit-and-run crashes

8 fatal crashes

1,096 personal injury crashes

5,972 property damage crashes

7,078 total crashes

8 fatalities

1,407 injuries

2015 hit-and-run crashes

12 fatal crashes

1,295 personal injury crashes

6,118 property damage crashes

7,425 total crashes

12 fatalities

1,722 injuries

As you can see, there are more than 7,000 reported hit-and-run crashes in Minnesota each year. If you are involved in a hit-and-run crash and the other vehicle leaves the scene, try to get a license plate number, make, model and color of the vehicle, driver description and direction of travel. Report this information as soon as possible to law enforcement, and we will attempt to locate that vehicle.

Minnesota state statue 169.09 says that the driver involved in a collision shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the collision or as close to the scene as possible and investigate what was struck.

If the driver knows or has reason to know the collision resulted in injury or death or damage to another vehicle, the driver shall remain at the scene of the collision and give information. The driver of any motor vehicle shall give the driver’s name, address and date of birth and the registration plate number of the vehicle being driven. The driver shall, upon request and if available, exhibit the driver’s license or permit to drive to the individual struck or the driver or occupant of or individual attending any vehicle collided with. The driver also shall give the information and upon request exhibit the license or permit to any peace officer at the scene of the collision or who is investigating the collision. The driver shall render reasonable assistance to any individual injured in the collision.

If you have any questions concerning traffic related laws or issues in Minnesota send your questions to Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota State Patrol, at 2900 48th St. NW, Rochester, MN 55901-5848; or reach him at Troy.Christianson@state.mn.us.