ONE MORE THING, For Future Reference
Before this detours into the nearly-inevitable mention of following/detaining/holding hit-and-run suspects:
In Texas, the misdemeanor of Failure To Stop And Give Information frequently results in complainants and witnesses following the suspect’s vehicle. Sometimes, “following” escalates to pursuit, and attempts to detain/arrest/“hold for police.” Please, let’s keep in mind that private citizens have NO power to detain/arrest for most misdemeanors, and NO right to disregard traffic laws to maintain the following of a ANY suspect. This last part means serious civil liability for any damage or injury caused during such “following” and pursuits.
If “Serious Bodily Injury” has occurred, well, that does elevate “hit & run” to the felony of Failure To Stop And Render Aid. Unless one truly understands the legal parameters of Serious Bodily Injury, detaining/arresting the hit-and-run suspect is ill-advised.