Accident Involving Death Penalties in Salt Lake City
Utah Code § 41-6a-401.5 places the same requirements of operators of motor vehicles involved in accidents causing death as are expected of drivers involved in other types of crashes. If a person is accused of leaving the scene of an accident resulting in the death of another party, however, the alleged offender can be charged with a third-degree felony.
In some cases of collisions resulting in death, motor vehicle operators may be charged with negligent homicide. Negligent homicide under Utah Code § 76-5-206, a class A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and/or a fine of up to $2,500, involves an alleged offender who acts with criminal negligence—a circumstance in which the alleged offender should be aware of the risk— and thereby causes the death of another.
If an alleged offender is accused of convicted of DUI in connection with an accident resulting in the death of another party, that person may be charged with automobile homicide. Under Utah Code § 76-5-207, automobile homicide is a second-degree felony punishable by 15 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $10,000.