Bill in Salem aims to close hit-and-run ‘loophole’

Members of the Oregon House Judiciary Committee will consider legislation Tuesday that its backers say seeks to close a glaring loophole in Oregon’s hit-and-run statutes. The bill comes in response a ruling by the Oregon Court of Appeals, which overturned a conviction involving a high-profile hit and run incident from 2013 that resulted in the death of two young children.

“Our current laws have been exposed in a very painful way as being inadequate to deliver justice to those who have been wronged by hit and run drivers,” said Rep. Andy Olson, R-Albany, who serves as Vice-Chair of the House Judiciary Committee. “HB 4055 will clarify and strengthen our state’s hit and run statutes so that there can be no confusion about the responsibilities of a driver when a collision occurs. We need to pass this bill and to make this right.”

Chief sponsored by Reps. Olson (R-Albany) and Jeff Barker (D-Aloha), HB 4055 clarifies and strengthens Oregon’s hit-and-run statues by explicitly requiring drivers to take specific actions upon learning they have been involved in a collision.

Under current law, these requirements only take affect if a driver realizes they have been in an accident. Oregon statutes do not address the duties and requirements of a driver who is unaware they were involved in a collision until after they have left the scene of the incident.

The legislation comes in response to a ruling by the Oregon Court of Appeals, which overturned the conviction of a driver in an October 20, 2013 collision that resulted in the death of two young girls in Forest Grove.

Though the individual involved was convicted by a jury of failing to perform the duties of a driver, the Oregon Court of Appeals ruled state law “does not require a defendant to return to the scene of the accident after he or she has left the scene and later learns that he or she was involved in an accident that injured or killed another person.” The driver involved was acquitted of the charges she was previously convicted on.

“No law we pass can bring back the two little girls we lost back in 2013 or prevent a future driver from injuring or killing a pedestrian,” Olson said. “What we can do, however, is address this gaping loophole in our state’s hit and run statutes so that the next time a situation like this arises, we can be more certain that justice be achieved for the victims and their families. This is a common-sense law and we need to get this done this session.”

Members of the public are invited to attend Tuesday’s hearing in the State Capitol or follow the proceedings online. For additional information on how to participate, please see the details below:

WHAT: HB 4055, Public Hearing and Work Session

Legislation to strengthen “hit and run” statutes

WHERE: Oregon State Capitol

900 Court St. NE

Hearing Room 343

WHEN: Tuesday, February 6, 2018

1:00 p.m.

STREAMING: Live stream available at:

https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2018R1/Committees/HJUD/Overview