First-degree reckless injury involves which of the following?

• A. The offender caused death
• B. The offender committed elements of a reckless homicide but did not die and showed utter disregard for human life
• C. The offender lacked intent to injure
• D. The offender used a weapon

Answer: (B)

Extreme recklessness that shows utter disregard for human life defines first-degree reckless injury. This offense applies when a person’s conduct creates a substantial and unjustifiable risk to life and results in serious injury, and the conduct would meet reckless-homicide standards if death had occurred. In other words, the offender acted with the same extreme recklessness as in a reckless-homicide case, but no death resulted, only injury.

That’s why the statement describing having the elements of reckless homicide while no death occurred, yet with utter disregard for human life, is the best fit. It captures both the level of recklessness and the fact that the outcome was injury, not death.

The other options don’t fit because causing death is the hallmark of reckless homicide, not reckless injury; intent to injure is not required for recklessness, and using a weapon is not a defining element of first-degree reckless injury.