When young adults break the law, society often fears that punishing them too harshly will ruin the rest of their lives. Getting the wake-up call they deserve can be quite difficult.

O’Fallon resident Taylor Patrick, 18, recently entered a guilty plea and received a suspended sentence from a St. Charles County judge, according to the Post-Dispatch. The charge was a felony count of leaving the scene of an accident.

Patrick will not serve jail time if he successfully completes probation — and earns a high school diploma, per the judge’s order.

Last March, Patrick was driving on a neighborhood street without sidewalks. A couple of 15-year-olds were caught unable to get out of the way. The car struck a boy, who rolled over the hood. Impact was severe enough that Patrick’s Mazda had significant damage.

Patrick stopped the car and spoke to the victim and bystander, but panicked and fled. The witnesses later described Patrick and his vehicle to the police.

A high school classmate of Patrick found out about the incident from Patrick himself, and decided to tell authorities what she knew. It wasn’t long before Patrick had nowhere left to run.

In a serious hit-and-run accident, the criminal justice system only addresses part of the problem. What about the injuries and suffering caused by the victims? Your St. Louis auto accident attorney can help seek the justice you really need.