Vehicular Homicide

• In several states a vehicular homicide is a crime.  It involves death that results from the negligent operation of vehicle, or that results from driving while committing a unlawful act that does not amount to a felony.

• All states except Alaska, Montana, Arizona and Oregon have vehicular homicide statues.  The laws have the effect of making a vehicle a potentially deadly weapon, to allow for easier conviction and more severe penalties.  In state with these statues, defendants can be  charged with manslaughter or murder depending on the situations.

• The victim may be either a person not in the car, such as a pedestrian or other motorist, or a passenger in the vehicle with the offender.