Senate Approves Senate Bill 871 to Strengthen Penalties for Dangerous Police Pursuits

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Senate has passed Senate Bill 871, authored by Senator Aaron Reinhardt, to enhance public safety by increasing penalties for individuals who cause accidents while attempting to elude law enforcement.

Senate Bill 871 adds the crime of causing an accident that results in great bodily injury while fleeing from law enforcement to the list of 85% crimes, ensuring offenders serve the majority of their sentence in prison before becoming eligible for parole.

Additionally, the bill increases the minimum sentence for this crime from one year to five years, with the maximum penalty rising from five years to seven years.

“This legislation is about protecting the public and ensuring that those who endanger lives by recklessly fleeing from law enforcement face serious consequences,” Senator Reinhardt said. “Our law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day, and we must do everything we can to support them and safeguard our communities. Making this law stronger will hopefully serve as a deterrent against reckless attempts to evade law enforcement, which puts everyone at risk.”

Senator Reinhardt cited the increasing dangers of high-speed pursuits and the need for stricter penalties to discourage dangerous behavior.

The measure now heads to the Oklahoma House of Representatives for consideration.

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For more information, contact: (405) 521-5600 or aaron.reinhardt@oksenate.gov