State Senator Michael Balboni recently announced the passage of a bill increasing penalties for drivers who kill or seriously injure other people while driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

“The message is clear. You drive drunk or on drugs and hurt or kill someone, you will be dealt with severely,” Senator Balboni said.

“VaSean’s Law” was named after eleven year old VaSean Phillip Alleyne, who was killed last year by a drunk driver who could not be charged with a felony under current law. VaSean’s Law would strengthen current law to make it easier for district attorneys to prosecute drivers for vehicular assault and vehicular manslaughter when they cause death or serious injury as a result of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Under current law, the so-called “rule of two” requires a drunk driver who kills to also be charged with a second infraction in order to be charged with vehicular manslaughter. This loophole often results in drunk drivers escaping with little punishment.

VaSean’s law would address the “rule of two” by eliminating the requirement for prosecutors to prove criminal negligence, making it easier for them to charge a deadly drunk driver with vehicular manslaughter, resulting in stronger criminal penalties.

The Assembly passed the bill, and it was sent to the governor after it passed the Senate.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Be sure to vote on Tuesday, May 17. Every vote counts on deciding whether or not to vote for or against a school budget!

• • • • • Meg Morgan Norris Publisher