The escape of the perpetrator is suspected of being a traffic accident crime, which has a limitation of prosecution. The maximum punishment of the crime of causing traffic accidents is more than seven years' imprisonment, and the limitation of prosecution is ten years.
The crime of causing traffic accidents refers to the crime of violating the road traffic management regulations, causing serious traffic accidents, causing serious injuries, deaths or heavy losses to public and private property, and being investigated for criminal responsibility according to law.
[Legal Basis]
Article 87 of the Criminal Law stipulates that a crime shall not be prosecuted after the following periods:
（1） Five years, if the maximum punishment prescribed is fixed-term imprisonment of less than five years;
（2） 10 years, if the maximum punishment prescribed is fixed-term imprisonment of not less than five years but not more than 10 years;
（3） Fifteen years, if the maximum punishment prescribed is fixed-term imprisonment of not less than 10 years;
（4） If the maximum punishment prescribed is life imprisonment or death penalty, 20 years shall elapse. If it is deemed necessary to prosecute after 20 years, it shall be reported to the Supreme People's Procuratorate for approval.
