NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — Drivers who leave the scene of a deadly crash in Tennessee now face tougher penalties under a new state law that took effect July 1.
Known as Jimmy’s Law, the legislation raises the charge for leaving the scene of a fatal crash from a Class E felony to a Class D felony. The law also requires a mandatory minimum one-year prison sentence and fines ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 for those convicted.
The law is officially named the James Bardsley Life Protection Act in honor of James “Jimmy” Bardsley, who was killed in a 2021 hit-and-run crash. His mother, Kim Webb, advocated for the legislation after learning there was no mandatory minimum prison sentence for drivers who fled the scene of a deadly crash…