Gov Reynolds Signs 'Emmalee's Law' to Change Hit-And-Run Crimes

DES MOINES, Iowa - A new law in Iowa requires drivers to come forward as soon as they realize their car may have been in an accident leading to injury or death.

Governor Kim Reynolds has signed Emmalee's Law.

It's named after Emmalee Jacobs, who was hit and killed by a CyRide transit bus in Ames six years ago.

The bus driver was arrested a month later, and eventually served 30 days in jail.

The new law changes hit-and-run crimes in Iowa. A driver who fails to come forward after realizing their vehicle was involved in an accident causing injury or death will face felony charges.

CyRide bus driver Benjamin Clague hit and killed Emmalee along his route in 2015.

More than a month later, he was charged with failure to obey a traffic sign and leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death. But there was no evidence he immediately knew he hit her and caused her death.

In 2016, Clague was sentenced to 30 days in jail.


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