Proposed Missouri bills would legally protect drivers who strike protesters

Two newly proposed bills out of Missouri would allow drivers to legally hit protesters with their vehicles if they find themselves in the middle of a demonstration.

State Rep. Adam Schnelting (R-St. Charles) introduced a bill called the Fleeing Motorist Protection Act, which aims to criminally and civilly protect anyone who strikes a protestor with their vehicle during a protest.

Schnelting shared the outline of his bill on Twitter on Thursday.

“If your grandparents are caught in a mob and are being threatened, they shouldn’t be held liable for inadvertently hitting a rioter if they flee the scene in order to save those in the car from physical danger,” he wrote. “This bill does not change our laws on vehicular assault nor excuse gross negligence.”

Last week, I filed HB56 – The Fleeing Motorist Protection Act ensures that motorists who are trapped in their vehicle during a riot are civilly and criminally protected under state law. If your grandparents are caught in a mob and are being threatened, they shouldn’t be….

— Adam Schnelting (@AdamSchnelting) December 11, 2020

…..held liable for inadvertently hitting a rioter if they flee the scene in order to save those in the car from physical danger. This bill does not change our laws on vehicular assault nor excuse gross negligence. #ProtectOurFamilies #CastleDoctrineForYourCar

— Adam Schnelting (@AdamSchnelting) December 11, 2020

The bill itself states: “If a person attempts to flee in a motor vehicle from an unlawful or riotous assemblage, such person shall not be criminally or civilly liable for any deaths or injuries to any individual participating in the unlawful or riotous assemblage that may result if the person reasonably believes he or she or any occupant of the motor vehicle is in danger.”

State Sen.-elect Rick Brattin (R-Harrisonville) also introduced a similar bill that calls for anyone who injures another person with their vehicle during a demonstration not to be held liable.

“Any person operating a motor vehicle who injures another person with the motor vehicle shall not be liable for any damages if, at the time of the injury: (1) The person operating the motor vehicle was exercising due care; and (2) The person injured was blocking traffic in a public right-of-way while participating in a protest or demonstration,” the proposed bill states.

“The provisions of this section shall not apply to any act or omission of the person operating the motor vehicle that constitutes gross negligence,” the bill continues.