Commonwealth v. Velasquez

The defendant was tried and convicted, under G. L. c. 90, § 24(2)(a), of leaving the scene of an accident after causing property damage. At trial, in opposition to the defendant’s motion for a required finding of not guilty, the Commonwealth proceeded successfully on the theory that a conviction under that statute does not require proof that the accident in question caused property damage. On appeal, the Commonwealth presses the same claim. We disagree, and reverse the conviction.

Facts. Viewed in the light most favorable to the Commonwealth, see Commonwealth v. Latimore, 378 Mass. 671,…