Arizona Hit and Run Laws: Penalties and What to Do

Last verified: March 2026. This article reflects current Arizona Revised Statutes Title 28 and recent court decisions.

What Is a Hit and Run in Arizona?

Arizona does not use the phrase "hit and run" in its statutes. Instead, the law refers to "leaving the scene of an accident" or "failure to stop." The relevant statutes are found in Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS) Title 28, Chapter 3, Article 3.

Three primary statutes govern hit and run offenses in Arizona:

• ARS 28-661 covers accidents involving death or physical injury.
• ARS 28-662 covers accidents involving only vehicle damage.
• ARS 28-663 imposes duties to exchange information and render aid.
• ARS 28-664 covers hitting an unattended vehicle.
• ARS 28-665 covers striking highway fixtures or roadside property.

Each statute carries different penalties depending on the severity of the accident and the driver's level of fault.

ARS 28-661: Leaving the Scene of an Injury or Fatal Accident

ARS 28-661 is Arizona's most serious hit and run statute. It requires any driver involved in an accident that results in injury or death to immediately stop at the scene or as close to it as possible. The driver must remain until all requirements under ARS 28-663 are met.

This statute applies to accidents on both public and private property.

Penalty Tiers Under ARS 28-661

The classification depends on both the severity of harm and whether the driver caused the accident:

Scenario	Classification	Prison Range (First Offense)
Injury (not serious), driver did not cause accident	Class 5 felony	6 months to 2.5 years
Death or serious injury, driver did not cause accident	Class 3 felony	2 to 8.75 years
Death or serious injury, driver caused the accident	Class 2 felony	3 to 12.5 years

"Serious physical injury" under Arizona law means an injury that creates a reasonable risk of death, causes serious and permanent disfigurement, or results in protracted loss or impairment of any body organ or limb.

License Revocation Under ARS 28-661

A conviction under ARS 28-661 triggers mandatory license revocation:

• Serious injury: License revoked for 5 years (not including time incarcerated).
• Death: License revoked for 10 years (not including time incarcerated).
• After 5 years of the revocation period, a driver may apply for restricted driving privileges if they have paid full restitution and have no additional motor vehicle convictions during the revocation.

If drugs or alcohol contributed to the accident, the court may require completion of a drug or alcohol screening program before license reinstatement.

ARS 28-662: Leaving the Scene of a Property Damage Accident

When an accident results only in damage to an attended vehicle and no injuries occur, ARS 28-662 applies. Drivers must immediately stop and remain at the scene until they fulfill the information exchange requirements of ARS 28-663.

Penalties for Property Damage Hit and Run

• Classification: Class 1 misdemeanor
• Jail time: Up to 6 months
• Fine: Up to $2,500
• License suspension: The court may order a 1-year suspension
• Additional penalties: Restitution, community service, probation

The statute also includes provisions for fully autonomous vehicles and neighborhood occupantless electric vehicles (NOEVs). If the vehicle is operating without a human driver, the requirements are satisfied when the vehicle stops at or near the scene and remains until all information obligations are met.

ARS 28-663: Duty to Exchange Information and Render Aid

Regardless of fault or the type of accident, ARS 28-663 requires every driver involved in a collision to:

1. Provide their name, address, and vehicle registration number to the other party.
2. Show their driver's license on request.
3. Render reasonable assistance to any injured person, including arranging transportation to a medical facility if treatment appears necessary or is requested.

Failure to Render Aid

Failing to provide reasonable assistance to an injured person is a separate Class 6 felony under ARS 28-663(A)(3). This charge can be filed in addition to any other hit and run charge. A first-time Class 6 felony carries a sentencing range of 4 months to 2 years in prison.

ARS 28-664: Hitting an Unattended Vehicle

If you strike a parked or unattended vehicle, ARS 28-664 requires you to either locate and notify the owner or leave a written note in a conspicuous place on the vehicle. The note must include the name and address of the driver and the owner of the vehicle that caused the damage.

• Classification: Class 2 misdemeanor
• Jail time: Up to 4 months
• Fine: Up to $750

ARS 28-665: Striking Highway Fixtures

If you hit a guardrail, traffic sign, utility pole, or other property legally on or adjacent to a highway, ARS 28-665 requires you to take reasonable steps to locate and notify the property owner.

• Classification: Class 3 misdemeanor
• Jail time: Up to 30 days
• Fine: Up to $500

Complete Penalty Summary Table

Offense	Statute	Classification	Max Jail/Prison	Max Fine
Property damage (attended vehicle)	ARS 28-662	Class 1 misdemeanor	6 months	$2,500
Striking unattended vehicle	ARS 28-664	Class 2 misdemeanor	4 months	$750
Striking highway fixture	ARS 28-665	Class 3 misdemeanor	30 days	$500
Failure to render aid	ARS 28-663	Class 6 felony	2 years	$150,000
Minor injury, not at fault	ARS 28-661	Class 5 felony	2.5 years	$150,000
Serious injury/death, not at fault	ARS 28-661	Class 3 felony	8.75 years	$150,000
Serious injury/death, at fault	ARS 28-661	Class 2 felony	12.5 years	$150,000

Note: Prison ranges listed are aggravated maximums for first-time offenders under ARS 13-702.

DUI Hit and Run in Arizona

If a driver is intoxicated at the time of the accident, additional charges can be filed on top of the hit and run offense. Common additional charges include:

• Aggravated DUI (ARS 28-1383)
• Manslaughter (ARS 13-1103) if the victim dies
• Second degree murder (ARS 13-1104) if the driver acted with extreme indifference to human life
• Endangerment (ARS 13-1201)
• Aggravated assault (ARS 13-1204)

A DUI hit and run involving a fatality can result in decades of combined prison time across multiple charges. Courts in Arizona treat these cases with particular severity, especially when the driver fled to avoid detection of intoxication.

Reporting Requirements

ARS 28-666: Immediate Notification

Arizona law requires drivers to notify law enforcement of any accident involving injuries, deaths, or property damage "immediately by the quickest means of communication." This notification can be oral or written and goes to the local police department, county sheriff, or highway patrol.

ARS 28-667: Written Accident Report

When an accident results in bodily injury, death, or property damage exceeding $2,000, a law enforcement officer must complete a written report within 24 hours of completing the investigation. A report is also required any time a citation is issued at the scene, regardless of the damage amount.

Statute of Limitations

Arizona's statute of limitations for hit and run charges varies by classification:

• Misdemeanors (property damage only): 1 year from the date of the offense under ARS 13-107.
• Felonies (Class 2 through Class 6): 7 years from the date of the offense.
• Homicide-related charges: No time limit.

The statute of limitations does not run during any period when the defendant cannot reasonably be found within the state.

Insurance Implications for Hit and Run Victims

Arizona law requires all drivers to carry liability insurance, but it does not require uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. However, all insurance companies doing business in Arizona must offer UM coverage.

If you are the victim of a hit and run and the at-fault driver is never identified, insurance companies treat the claim the same as an uninsured motorist claim. This means:

• If you purchased UM coverage, your own policy pays for your injuries and damages up to your coverage limits.
• If you did not purchase UM coverage, you may have limited options for recovery.
• Arizona's minimum liability requirements are $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, plus $15,000 for property damage.

Under ARS 12-555, you must provide written notice to your insurer of your intent to pursue a UM claim within 3 years of the accident date.

How Arizona Determines Fault

Arizona follows the pure comparative negligence rule. This means:

• A jury calculates each party's percentage of fault.
• Your damages are reduced by your share of responsibility.
• You can recover damages even if you were partially at fault.

Example: If you are 30% responsible for an accident and have $50,000 in damages, you can recover $35,000.

This rule is significant in hit and run cases because fleeing the scene does not automatically make a driver 100% at fault for the accident itself. Fault for the collision and criminal liability for leaving the scene are separate legal questions.

What to Do After an Accident in Arizona

If You Are the Driver

1. Stop immediately at the scene or as close to it as safely possible.
2. Call 911 if anyone is injured or if property damage exceeds $2,000.
3. Provide your name, address, and vehicle registration to the other party.
4. Show your driver's license on request.
5. Render reasonable assistance to any injured person.
6. Wait for law enforcement to arrive and complete a report.
7. Contact your insurance company promptly.
8. Speak with an attorney before making detailed statements beyond the required information.

If You Are the Victim

1. Document the scene: date, time, location, weather, and traffic conditions.
2. Photograph the fleeing vehicle if possible, focusing on the license plate.
3. Note the vehicle make, model, color, and any distinguishing features.
4. Collect contact information from witnesses.
5. Call 911 immediately.
6. Seek medical attention, even if injuries seem minor.
7. File a UM claim with your insurance company if applicable.
8. Consult an attorney to understand your recovery options.

Important: Do not admit fault at the scene. Arizona is a pure comparative fault state, and your statements may reduce your recovery. Avoid phrases like "I did not see the other vehicle" or "it was my fault."

Legal Defenses for Hit and Run Charges

Fear for Personal Safety

If you had a reasonable fear of assault, violence, road rage, or robbery at the scene, this may justify leaving. You must still report the accident to law enforcement as soon as possible.

Lack of Knowledge

If you genuinely did not realize you struck a person or vehicle, this can serve as a defense. Investigators will examine vehicle damage, surveillance footage, and other evidence to assess this claim.

Emergency Circumstances

If you left the scene to seek emergency medical assistance for yourself or a passenger, and you reported the accident promptly, this may mitigate the charges.

Can You Settle a Hit and Run Case Out of Court?

Under ARS 13-3981, Arizona allows compromise of certain misdemeanor offenses. If the injured party acknowledges satisfaction before trial, the court may dismiss the prosecution upon payment of costs.

Limitations of this approach:

• Only applies to misdemeanor offenses (not felonies)
• Does not apply if the victim is a law enforcement officer
• Does not apply to repeat offenders
• The victim must voluntarily agree to the compromise

Notable Arizona Hit and Run Cases

Lisa Mancuso Case (2024)

In February 2024, 43-year-old Lisa Mancuso was jogging on the shoulder of 7th Avenue and Cloud Road when she was struck by a pickup truck. The driver fled the scene. The suspect was identified as the son of a Phoenix police lieutenant. He later pleaded guilty to the charges in April 2025, demonstrating that law enforcement connections do not shield defendants from prosecution.

Tristan Loper Case (2025)

In December 2025, 29-year-old Tristan Loper was arrested weeks after a deadly hit and run on I-10 in west Phoenix. Investigators used highway surveillance systems and vehicle debris analysis to identify the suspect, illustrating how modern forensic techniques make it increasingly difficult to avoid detection.

Arizona Crash Statistics

Arizona's roads present significant safety challenges, particularly for pedestrians:

• Over 122,000 crashes occurred statewide in 2023, with numbers continuing to rise.
• 263 pedestrians died in car accidents in 2024, representing about 21% of all traffic fatalities.
• Approximately 40% of pedestrian crashes were fatal.
• 2024 marked a five-year high in pedestrian and cyclist crashes according to ADOT.
• Over 1,200 traffic fatalities occurred statewide in recent years.

Phoenix has responded to rising pedestrian deaths by updating jaywalking ordinances and increasing enforcement in high-risk areas.

More Arizona Laws

• Arizona Dog Bite Laws
• Arizona Statute of Limitations
• Arizona Sexting Laws
• Arizona Recording Laws
• Arizona Car Seat Laws
• Arizona Child Support Laws
• Arizona Lemon Laws
• Arizona Whistleblower Laws