People v. Wood

Opinion

HUFFMAN, Acting P. J.

This case presents the question of whether a conviction for violation of the “hit and run” statute (Veh. Code, § 20001), during which the victim is seriously injured, automatically qualifies as a serious felony. We follow the principle that the gravamen of the offense of hit and run is the flight of the defendant from the scene of the accident, Thus we determine that such conviction can only be a serious felony where the defendant’s flight is the cause of the serious injury. Such was not the case in the prior conviction before us.

Lawrence Wayne Wood entered a…