Last verified: January 2026. This article reflects current Connecticut General Statutes Section 14-224 and recent legal developments.
📑 Table of Contents (click to expand)
Quick Summary
- Property damage only: Misdemeanor, up to one year in jail, $600 fine, and license suspension.
- Serious injury or death: Felony, up to 10 years in prison and $10,000 fine.
- DUI hit and run with death: Class C felony (manslaughter), up to 10 years and $10,000 fine.
- Accelerated rehabilitation: First-time offenders may qualify for diversion to avoid permanent records.
- Report deadline: Five days to file an accident report.
- Statute of limitations: Two years for civil claims.
References:
- CGS 14-224: Evasion of Responsibility in Operation of Motor Vehicle
- Connecticut General Statutes Chapter 248
CGS 14-224: Connecticut’s Hit and Run Law Explained
Connecticut General Statutes 14-224, titled “Evasion of Responsibility in Operation of Motor Vehicle,” requires any driver involved in an accident to immediately stop and fulfill specific duties. An accident becomes a crime only when the driver flees and fails to assist the victim.
Your Legal Obligations
Section (a) of CGS 14-224 requires you to:
- Provide reasonable assistance to any injured person, including arranging transportation to medical facilities
- Notify law enforcement
- Provide your name, address, license, and other identification to the victim, occupants, law enforcement, or person attending the victim
Elements the State Must Prove
For conviction, prosecutors must establish:
- You were involved in a traffic collision resulting in death, injury, or property damage
- You failed to render reasonable assistance and did not fulfill the requirements of CGS 14-224
Penalties for Hit and Run in Connecticut
Property Damage or Minor Injury
- Classification: Misdemeanor
- Jail: Up to one year
- Fine: Up to $600
- License: Possible suspension
- Other: Probation possible
Serious Injury or Death
- Classification: Felony
- Prison: Up to 10 years
- Fine: Up to $10,000
- License: Suspension up to one year or revocation
Negligent Homicide with Motor Vehicle
- Jail: Up to six months
- Fine: Up to $1,000
Manslaughter with Motor Vehicle (DUI)
- Classification: Class C felony under CGS 53a-56b
- Prison: Up to 10 years
- Fine: Up to $10,000
Connecticut Crash Statistics
Connecticut has faced significant traffic safety challenges in recent years:
- 2024 fatalities: 264 people had died on Connecticut roads by October 2024, with the number continuing to rise.
- Year-over-year increase: Fatalities increased approximately 25% in 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.
- Pedestrian deaths: Pedestrians accounted for 19.6% of traffic fatalities in 2024.
- Most affected age group: People between 20 and 25 years old recorded the highest number of fatal injuries.
- Hit and run trend in New Haven: Despite several fatal crashes in 2024, New Haven has seen fewer total hit and run incidents since 2021. In 2021, police reported 884 hit and runs out of 6,006 total motor vehicle accidents.
Notable Connecticut Hit and Run Cases
Hartford Bicyclist Death (2024)
In July 2025, police arrested Jhaki J. Gunter, 24, of New Britain in connection with a fatal hit and run that killed a bicyclist in Hartford in October 2024. The crash occurred just after midnight near 605 Albany Avenue. Gunter turned himself in after an investigation, demonstrating how police pursue hit and run cases even months after the incident.
West Hartford Elderly Driver Case (2025)
In April 2025, an 83-year-old woman, Sue Deffenbaugh, faced a judge after being arrested for a deadly pedestrian crash in West Hartford. The victim was an 87-year-old woman. The case illustrated that prosecutors pursue hit and run charges regardless of the defendant’s age when fatalities are involved.
East Haven Pedestrian Death (2024)
On June 14, 2024, a crash on Main Street in East Haven killed a 47-year-old pedestrian. The incident contributed to ongoing discussions about pedestrian safety and hit and run enforcement in the New Haven area.
Jose Carrion Case (2025)
In late January 2026, Jose Carrion, 42, of Hartford was arrested on a warrant in connection with a deadly 2025 crash. The arrest demonstrated the ongoing commitment of Hartford police to pursue hit and run cases.
What to Do After an Accident in Connecticut
For Drivers
- Stop immediately and remain unless you have valid cause to fear for your safety
- Call 911 if anyone is injured
- Render reasonable assistance to any injured person
- Exchange required information
- If you cannot locate the property owner, leave a note with your contact information
- Do not admit fault
- File a police report within five days
- Contact an attorney before making detailed statements
For Victims
- Call 911 immediately
- Collect evidence: vehicle description, plate numbers, driver appearance, damage
- Photograph the fleeing vehicle if possible
- Gather witness contact information
- File a police report within five days
- Contact an attorney
- Call your insurer
- Do not admit fault
Modified Comparative Negligence in Connecticut
Connecticut follows a modified contributory negligence rule:
- If you are 50% or more responsible for the accident, you cannot recover damages
- If you are less than 50% responsible, your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault
Why You Should Not Admit Fault
Statements to avoid at the scene:
- “It was my fault”
- “I did not see the other vehicle”
- “I’m sorry”
- “I was going too fast”
These statements can eliminate your ability to recover damages if you are found 50% or more at fault.
DUI Hit and Run in Connecticut
Under CGS 53a-56b, operating a vehicle while intoxicated that results in death constitutes second-degree manslaughter with a motor vehicle.
Potential Charges
- Vehicular homicide
- Manslaughter with a motor vehicle (second degree)
- Driving under the influence
- Assault
- Evading responsibility
Each charge carries separate penalties, and convictions may run consecutively.
Accelerated Rehabilitation Program
Connecticut offers an accelerated rehabilitation program for first-time offenders charged with non-death hit and run:
“AR program participants waive their right to a speedy trial. The court places them under the supervision of the Office of Adult Probation for up to two years under whatever conditions it orders. If the defendant completes the program the charges against him are dismissed by the court and his records are erased.”
Program Requirements May Include
- Anger management courses
- Community service
- Substance abuse evaluation and treatment
- Restitution to victims
Benefits
- Charges dismissed upon completion
- Records erased
- No permanent criminal record
Disqualification
The program is generally not available for:
- Repeat offenders
- Cases involving death
- Cases involving serious injury
Consult with an attorney to determine eligibility.
Legal Defenses for Hit and Run
Other Party Did Not Need Assistance
If you were injured and left to seek medical help, and the other party indicated they were uninjured, this may factor into your defense.
Fear for Safety
Leaving because you reasonably feared for your safety is not a crime. You must demonstrate why you feared assault, robbery, or violence, and report to law enforcement immediately.
Lack of Knowledge
If you genuinely did not know you were involved in an accident, this may serve as a defense. Investigators will examine vehicle damage and other evidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does hit and run become a felony in Connecticut?
Hit and run becomes a felony when it results in serious injury or death, or when the driver was intoxicated.
How long do I have to report an accident in Connecticut?
You have five days from the accident to file a police report. Failing to file may affect your insurance claim.
What is the statute of limitations for hit and run civil claims?
Under CGS 52-584, you have two years from the accident date to file a civil lawsuit.
Can first-time offenders avoid a criminal record?
Yes, through the accelerated rehabilitation program, if the case does not involve death or serious injury.
Will I lose my license for hit and run?
For misdemeanor convictions, suspension is possible. For felony convictions involving injury or death, suspension for up to one year or revocation is likely.