Teen Charged With Leaving The Scene Of An Accident After Facebook Admission

People write stupid things on various social media sites all the time but one Oregon teenager actually got himself arrested.  Jacob Cox-Brown recently posted on Facebook the below message about his New Year’s activities:

Two of Cox-Brown’s 600+ “friends” reported his online admission to the Astoria, Oregon Police who were already investigating two hit-and-run accidents.  Apparently he left pieces of his damaged car behind, and parked his vehicle at his house.  The police matched his car with the damaged pieces and charged him with two counts of failing to perform the duties of a driver (in New York called “leaving the scene”).

In New York, leaving the scene of an accident is broken up into two types – personal injury and property damage.  Leaving the scene involving personal injury occurs when a driver knowing (or having cause to know) that personal injury has caused to another person due to an incident involving his or her car.  It is a criminal charge (misdemeanor), carries 3 points and a hefty fine.  It also can result in jail time of up to one year.

In contrast, leaving the scene involving property damage is only a violation.  It still carries 3 points and a fine but is not a criminal charge.  Jail of up to 15 days can still be imposed.

Unfortunately, for Cox-Brown, the law for leaving the scene involving property damage is more serious than in New York.

On the other hand, the 18-year old did catch a break because he was not charged with “drivin” while intoxicated.  Despite his admission and his arrogant tongue sticking out emoticon , the police did not have any other evidence to support such a charge.