Florida Proposes Written Crash Reports From Repair Shops
The state of Florida is looking to impose new requirements for auto repair shops following the investigation of a tragic hit-and-run, WFLA reports.
On August 31, 2022, 13-year-old Lilly Glaubach was riding her bike home from school when she was fatally struck by the vehicle of 67-year-old David Chang at a crosswalk. Chang was driving 30 mph over the speed limit.
Chang immediately fled the scene and took his vehicle to a repair shop in Tampa, Florida, where he claimed the damages were from a tree falling on his car. He was eventually apprehended and sentenced to 15 years in prison and three years of probation.
In the aftermath of the incident, Senator Joe Gruters (R-Sarasota) has filed SB 194, or the “Lilly Glaubach Act:” a bill that would require auto repair shops to obtain a written crash report from customers with damaged vehicles.
In the case that a customer declines to provide a written crash report, shops would have to file a collision repair form that details information about the customer, such as name, address, phone number, and physical description, as well as info about their vehicle, including make, model, year, color, VIN, license plate number, and a description of the damage.
If the bill makes it through the Florida House, Senate, and governor’s desk, it will take effect on July 1, 2024.
