In some cases of assault, it is hard to tell who committed a crime and who was acting to protect or defend another person.
A Michigan teenager was recently arrested for the assault of a driver who accidentally hit a young boy who had stepped out into the street. According to a recent news article, the driver was beaten right after he stepped out of his car to check on the injured child.
A group immediately began to attack the driver with their hands and feet, leaving the man in critical condition. The driver is in a medically induced coma, and the injured boy is nursing a hurt leg at home.
According to ABC news, the 16-year-old who was involved in the beating was charged with hate crime and faces an ethnic intimidation and assault count. These crimes carry potentially serious ramifications.
The true motive for the attack on the driver is unknown and an investigation is still underway, but the defendants could say the attack was in defense of the young boy who was struck. But, another question may remain.
If the driver recovers, will he be criminally charged for striking a child with his vehicle?
The driver could face charges if it is later determined that he hit the child due to reckless driving, or driving under the influence. Most signs point to the opposite being the case: the driver immediately stopped his vehicle and stepped out to check on the young child.
According to news reports, the child walked out in to the street and the accident seemed unavoidable. Time will tell whether the recovering driver faces any charges for the boy’s injuries.
These types of accidents and criminal charges can be complicated and confusing. Every story, every case, and every individual is unique and important. As criminal defense attorneys, we have experience handling cases like this one and know how to navigate the legal field to get the best result.
If you have been charged with assault, reckless driving, or another criminal law offense in Northern Mississippi or the Memphis, Tennessee metropolitan area, contact the Stroud Law Firm to discuss your situation.
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