§ 20-166.2. Duty of passenger to remain at the scene of an accident.
§ 20‑166.2. Duty ofpassenger to remain at the scene of an accident.
(a) The passenger ofany vehicle who knows or reasonably should know that the vehicle in which he orshe is a passenger is involved in an accident or collision shall not willfullyleave the scene of the accident by acting as the driver of a vehicle involvedin the accident until a law enforcement officer completes the investigation ofthe accident or collision or authorizes the passenger to leave, unlessremaining at the scene places the passenger or others at significant risk ofinjury.
Prior to the completion of theinvestigation of the accident by a law enforcement officer, or the consent ofthe officer to leave, the passenger may not facilitate, allow, or agree to theremoval of the vehicle from the scene, for any purpose other than to call for alaw enforcement officer, to call for medical assistance or medical treatment asset forth in subsection (b) of this section, or to remove oneself or othersfrom a significant risk of injury. If the passenger does leave the scene of anaccident by driving a vehicle involved in the accident for a reason permittedby this subsection, the passenger must return with the vehicle to the accidentscene within a reasonable period of time, unless otherwise instructed by a lawenforcement officer. A willful violation of this subsection is a Class H felonyif the accident or collision is described in G.S. 20‑166(a). A willfulviolation of this subsection is a Class 1 misdemeanor if the accident orcollision is a reportable accident described in G.S. 20‑166(c).
(b) In addition tocomplying with the requirement of subsection (a) of this section, the passengershall give the passenger's name, address, drivers license number, and thelicense plate number of the vehicle in which the passenger was riding, ifpossible, to the person struck or the driver or occupants of any vehiclecollided with, provided that the person or persons are physically and mentallycapable of receiving the information, and shall render to any person injured inthe accident or collision reasonable assistance, including the calling formedical assistance if it is apparent that such assistance is necessary or isrequested by the injured person. A violation of this subsection is a Class 1misdemeanor. (2005‑460,s. 2.)