NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Story courtesy of tnhousegop.org) -– State Rep. Robert Stevens, R-Smyrna, and State Sen. Dawn White, R-Murfreesboro, proposed legislation to strengthen the penalties for drivers who leave the scene of an accident.
The James Bardsley Life Protection Act, or House Bill 1521/Senate Bill 1736, would increase the penalty for leaving the scene of an accident from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony. If a driver leaves the scene of an accident knowing or reasonably should have known that the crash resulted in a death, the offense would be elevated to a Class D felony.
“Anyone who leaves the scene of an accident, especially when someone is seriously injured or dying, should face serious consequences,” Stevens said. “This bill ensures drivers who flee cannot simply walk away from the harm they cause. I am honored to carry this bill on behalf of a local mother who turned an unimaginable loss into a push for stronger laws.”
James “Jimmy” Bardsley Jr., 19, was killed in September 2021 when he was struck on his motorcycle by a hit-and-run driver In Rutherford County. The driver was later identified and then convicted in December 2023 on multiple charges, including leaving the scene of fatal crash, but was released under court-supervised parole just one year into his sentence.
“When someone chooses to leave the scene of a serious accident, they are abandoning a victim at a moment when every second matters,” White said. “This legislation strengthens accountability and makes it clear that fleeing after causing injury or death will carry serious consequences in Tennessee.”
House Bill 1521 advanced out of the Criminal Justice Subcommittee on March 18 and now heads to the Judiciary Committee. The Senate version is expected to be heard in the Finance, Ways and Means Committee in the coming weeks.
Robert Stevens represents District 13 in the Tennessee House of Representatives which includes part of Rutherford County.
Dawn White represents District 13 in the Tennessee Senate which includes part of Rutherford County.
