Скачать или смотреть Tennessee lawmaker pushes for hit-and-run drivers to face tougher penalties

A Tennessee lawmaker has filed legislation that would significantly increase the punishment for hit-and-run drivers. The measure would put those convicted behind bars up to six times longer.

The new legislative session began on Tuesday, and Senate Bill 1602 will be among the first to be considered. It increases the penalties for people who get behind the wheel, hit somebody causing injury or death, and then drive away.

It’s been almost two years since Lawanda Page lost her son, Chazan, to a hit-and-run in East Nashville.

“How has his death impacted you?” I asked.

“Well, majorly. It was my son. He lost his life at a young age,” replied Page.

Page was 20 years old when Metro police said a speeding car hit him as he crossed Gallatin Road near Marion Avenue.

Chazan was a Tennessee State University football player.

“I’m getting emotional again, but it’s been rough, especially during football season,” Page said.

Page is sharing her story as a way to hold hit-and-run drivers more accountable.

Under the new bill, it would upgrade a hit-and-run that causes injury from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony.

That would mean the difference between 11 months and 29 days in jail to up to six years in prison.

The legislation would also upgrade a deadly hit-and-run from a Class E felony to a Class D felony.

So instead of spending up to six years behind bars, the offender could spend up to 12 years in prison.

https://fox17.com/news/local/tennesse...

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