Leaving the scene of an accident will cost you more than just the money for the damages you caused. You could lose your driver’s license, pay more than $300 in fines and even spend up to one year in jail.

Lt. Ray Coleman of the UTM Department of Public Safety says that “hit and run” accidents have become an area of concern for the police on campus. Within the past school year the department believes to have processed at least five hit and run accidents, with the most recent one occurring last week.

Shortly after noon on January 19, a UTM employee went to the Department of Public Safety to report a hit and run accident that he witnessed occur outside of Gooch Hall. According to this witness, a blue Chevrolet Malibu was backing out of a parking lot and hit a legally parked Oldsmobile. The driver of the Chevrolet, who was later identified as Hsiang-Jung Peng, was observed leaving the scene of the accident, but not before the witness was able to write down the plate numbers on the vehicle.

When approached by police Peng said he was unaware that he had hit a vehicle. Officers were able to observe damage to Peng’s bumper, but Peng claimed he didn’t know where it came from. Damages to the victim’s vehicle were under $400. Peng was issued a citation for leaving the scene of an accident and causing property damage and will appear before the Weakley County General Sessions Court.

Lt. Coleman says that the police are taking hit and runs very seriously. “These crimes have victims and we are going to investigate every hit and run accident and prosecute,” Coleman says.

If you’re involved in an accident you must call the police. Campus police can be contacted at 731-881-7777. When an officer arrives on scene he will complete a State of Tennessee Crash Report. Officers will need to see a copy of the driver’s insurance and drivers license. No charges are filed and tickets are not issued unless there is an extreme situation that warrants a ticket.

Calling police and filling out the crash report is going to be a better choice than leaving the scene of an accident and finding yourself facing criminal charges, potentially losing your license and spending one year in jail.

If anyone witnesses a hit and run accident or other crime they are encouraged to contact the police. Crime tips can also be left anonymously with the UTM police by going to http://crime.utm.edu.