Leaving the scene of an accident in Missouri is a crime even when the driver did nothing to cause the crash. The law requires a driver involved in an accident to stop and give identifying information, and leaving without doing so can be a felony when someone is hurt, the damage is over $1,000, or the driver has a prior offense.
This guide covers leaving the scene under RSMo 577.060: what the law requires, the penalties, the license points, and how these charges are defended.
The duty
What does Missouri law require after an accident?
Stop, and give your information.
Under RSMo 577.060, the operator of a vehicle or vessel involved in an accident resulting in injury, death, or damage to another person’s property, who knows of the accident, must stop and give the following to the other party or to a law enforcement officer, or, if no officer is nearby, to the nearest law enforcement agency:
- Their name
- Their residence, including city and street number
- The registration or license number of the vehicle or vessel
- Their operator’s license number, if any
Leaving without providing that information is the offense, regardless of who was at fault for the accident.
Penalties
Is leaving the scene of an accident a felony in Missouri?
It can be.
Class A misdemeanor
The baseline offense, punishable by up to one year in jail.
Class E felony
If physical injury was caused to another party, if damage to another person’s property was over $1,000, or if the driver has a prior leaving-the-scene finding of guilt, from Missouri or elsewhere. Up to four years.
Class D felony
If a death occurred as a result of the accident. Up to seven years.
License points
A state leaving-the-scene conviction carries 12 points under RSMo 302.302, enough on its own to trigger license revocation, and 6 points under a county or municipal ordinance.
Common situations
What if I did not know I hit something?
Knowledge of the accident is an element.
The statute applies to a driver “having knowledge of such accident.” A driver who genuinely did not know a collision occurred, for example a minor contact in a parking lot or with an unseen object, may not have committed the offense. The evidence of knowledge often comes from the damage, witness accounts, and video.
Other common situations include drivers who left because they felt unsafe, because they needed medical help, or because they panicked. Some of those explanations are defenses or mitigation; others are not. Leaving the scene is also frequently charged when police suspect intoxication, which can lead to a separate DWI investigation.
Defenses
How do you defend a leaving the scene charge in Missouri?
Knowledge, identity, the information given, and the level of the offense.
- No knowledge. The driver did not know an accident occurred.
- Identity. The State must prove who was driving. A car registered to someone does not prove they were behind the wheel.
- Information provided. If the driver gave the required information to the other party or reported to law enforcement, the offense may not apply.
- The felony factors. Whether there was a physical injury, whether property damage really exceeded $1,000, and whether a prior qualifies all decide whether the charge is a felony.
A driver who left an accident scene should talk to a lawyer before speaking with police or insurers about it.
FAQ
Leaving the scene questions
Is hit and run a felony in Missouri?
It is a class E felony if someone was injured, property damage exceeded $1,000, or the driver has a prior offense, and a class D felony if someone died. Otherwise it is a class A misdemeanor.
Is it a crime to leave the scene if the accident was not my fault?
Yes. The duty to stop and give information applies to any driver involved in the accident who knows of it, regardless of fault.
What if I hit a parked car?
If you know you damaged another person’s property, you must give your information to the owner or to law enforcement. Leaving without doing so can be charged under RSMo 577.060.
How many points is leaving the scene in Missouri?
Twelve points for a state violation, which can lead to license revocation, and six points for a county or municipal ordinance violation.
Should I go back to the scene or call police after leaving?
Contacting law enforcement can matter, but what you say can also be used against you. Talking to a lawyer first, quickly, is usually the safest path.
See our criminal defense and DWI defense pages, or call 573-638-8529.
Talk to us
Call before you explain.
If you have been charged with leaving the scene, or police want to talk to you about an accident, call before you make a statement.
Attorney advertising. The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements. This article is general information about Missouri law as of October 2026, not legal advice, and it does not create an attorney-client relationship. The outcome of any case depends on its facts.
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