Jacob Thomas Gaulden, Petitioner v. State of Florida, Respondent

Summary

The Court held that Florida’s hit-and-run statute requires the driver’s vehicle itself to collide with another vehicle, person, or object before it is “involved in a crash.” Because the passenger’s separation from the moving vehicle and impact with the roadway did not satisfy that requirement, the Court quashed the district court’s decision and remanded for application of its interpretation. CANADY, J., concurring in result, agreed with the outcome and strict-construction analysis but would not rely on legislative history.