CHEYENNE – This week, the judiciary committee will likely hear house bill 111. House bill 111 is a proposed amendment to Wyoming’s hit and run state statue which was drafted in partnership between the Torrington Police Department and representatives Scott Smith and Cheri Steinmetz. 

“This bill is designed to address a significant issue that has had a big impact in our community and across the state involving the consequences for fleeing the scene of serious accidents, often involving pedestrians,” Torrington Chief of Police, Matt Johnson, explained. “Under the current statute, a hit-and-run driver who flees the scene of an accident, even after causing death or serious bodily injury, will likely only be charged with a misdemeanor crime that carries a maximum sentence of up to one year in jail and up to a $5,000 fine.  Given the extreme indifference to human life that is involved in seriously injuring or killing another person in an accident, and then fleeing the scene, this consequence hardly provides justice for the victims and their families who often face lifelong impacts.”

Notably, the proposed amendment would modify the consequences of the existing statute for hit and run offenders who are knowingly involved in an accident which causes injury and then leave the scene. 

“In cases where the accident involves death or serious bodily injury, the hit and run driver could be charged with a felony crime that carries a maximum punishment of up to five years imprisonment and up to a $50,000 fine,” Johnson explained. 

According to Johnson, there have been two incidents since 2021 which have brought the issue to light. 

“The first occurred on November 5th, 2021, when Anita Cerzenak was crossing the street at 23rd Avenue and Main Street and was struck by a vehicle and left lying in the roadway with severe injuries.  The suspect was located by Torrington Police Officers and ultimately charged with misdemeanor Hit and Run and traffic offenses,” Johnson noted. “The second incident occurred on October 26, 2022, when Andrea Griffin was crossing the street at Valley Road and Main Street and was struck by a vehicle and suffered life threatening injuries.  Torrington Police Department initiated the investigation into this case, until discovering that an officer’s family member was the suspect.  The Wyoming Highway Patrol was contacted and concluded the investigation.  The suspect was eventually convicted of misdemeanor hit and run, along with multiple traffic offenses.”

Johnson further explained, even the best descriptions of the incidents would fall short from explaining the victims and their families’ true impact. 

“Both of the victims in our community suffered many months of painful recovery, experienced life changing physical limitations as a result of their injuries and incurred many thousands of dollars in medical expenses for treatment,” Johnson said. 

According to Johnson, Griffin and her family have also been advocating for change. 

“She is a strong supporter of House Bill 111 and is encouraging our community to contact members of the Judiciary Committee to encourage movement on the bill,” Johnson explained. “As Andrea explained, ‘It’s important for crimes of this nature to be a felony charge so that judges have options in sentencing.  The trauma that events like this create for the victim, their families, and ultimately the community is almost unimaginable.’”  

“We are extremely grateful to Representative Smith, Senator Steinmetz, and Mayor Herb Doby for their support and partnership in addressing this issue that has had such a big impact on our community and in other communities across the state.  We also appreciate the support of WASCOP (Wyoming Association of Sheriffs and Chiefs of Police) on the bill.  We are hopeful that these efforts will result in a much-needed change of Wyoming State Statute,” Johnson concluded.