safety
New TN law increases penalties for deadly hit-and-run crashes. Here’s what it means.
By Joylyn Bukovac at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate)
· July 1, 2026
· 2 min read
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - A new Tennessee law aimed at cracking down on deadly hit-and-run crashes takes effect Tuesday.Jimmy’s Law, officially known as the James Bardsley Life Protection Act, raises the penalty for leaving the scene of a fatal crash from a Class E felony to a Class D felony. The...
Key takeaway The law also adds a mandatory minimum one-year prison sentence and fines ranging from $5,000 to $10,000.
Why this matters in The Nashville
The implementation of Jimmy's Law in Tennessee brings a new level of accountability to drivers involved in fatal hit-and-run crashes in the Nashville area. By increasing the penalty from a Class E felony to a Class D felony, the law sends a clear message that leaving the scene of a deadly crash will not be taken lightly. For Nashville residents, this means that drivers will be more likely to stop and assist in the event of a crash, rather than fleeing the scene out of fear. The mandatory minimum one-year prison sentence and fines ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 will also serve as a deterrent, potentially reducing the number of hit-and-run incidents in Davidson County. As Kim Webb continues to work with lawmakers to push for even stronger penalties, the community will be watching to see how this new law impacts road safety in Nashville and beyond.
About this story
Original reporting by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . The Nashville surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 1, 2026 ·
Source: WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - A new Tennessee law aimed at cracking down on deadly hit-and-run crashes takes effect Tuesday.Jimmy’s Law, officially known as the James Bardsley Life Protection Act, raises the penalty for leaving the scene of a fatal crash from a Class E felony to a Class D felony. The...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 1, 2026 by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) and curated for The Nashville readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Joylyn Bukovac at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate). To learn more about how The Nashville selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Nashville, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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