Policy Text
POLICY
136.0HIT AND RUN INVESTIGATIONS
REVISED: 11/2011 RELATED POLICIES:
Reviewed by Chief David Magnusson
4/2019
A.GENERAL
1.Hit and run crashes shall be investigated and reported in accordance with Policy
135.0 (Traffic Crashes). In addition, certain other information is required to
facilitate follow up investigators. The following procedure applies:
2.As quickly as possible, the initial officer shall obtain a BOLO of the vehicle and
occupants (including as much of the following as possible: year, make, model,
color, and tag number of the vehicle; area and amount of damage or paint transfer;
description and number of occupants; time delay and direction of travel from
scene).
B.INTERVIEW ANY POSSIBLE WITNESSES.
1.Obtain names, addresses including zip codes, home and business phone numbers
of each.
2.Ascertain availability of witnesses for follow up at a later time. If necessary,
taped statements may have to be taken on the scene.
3.Ascertain if any witness or driver can identify either the hit and run driver or
vehicle.
C.Retain any evidence left at the scene. In the case of a pedestrian accident in which the
pedestrian is admitted to the hospital, obtain and submit the victims clothing to the lab for
comparison with blood, skin, or clothing imprints which may be found on the hit and run
vehicle.
D.Bystanders may provide information about the hit and run vehicle being parked in
immediate area. A bystander may also be the driver of the hit and run vehicle who
returned to see what the police are doing.
E.COMPLETION OF CRASH REPORT FORM.
1.The form used for Hit and Run Accidents shall be (HSMV-90010S) in accordance
with Policy 135.0
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2.If a witness has an unlisted phone number, and requests it not be released, the
investigator shall make a note.
3.Victims should be advised they should contact the Police Department if not
contacted by our Department within a week.
4.In the case of a Hit and Run crash with no serious injuries in which there is no
possibility of follow up due to lack of information, the investigator shall mark
"Yes" in the Investigation Complete box on the crash report and advise the victim
of the same.
F.If the hit and run vehicle is located and the driver is cited, there is no need to tow the
vehicle unless death or possible death resulted from the accident. The same applies if the
owner of the hit and run vehicle is located and supplies the necessary vehicle and
insurance information, even if they refuse to identity the driver. If the owner refuses or is
unable to supply the required insurance and registration information, the vehicle should
be towed and a hold placed on the vehicle.
G.If an officer makes an arrest for a felony hit and run crash, the officer shall deliver a copy
of the crash report, probable cause affidavit, and any other related reports as soon as
possible to facilitate case filing.
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