‘Liam's Law' bill stems from street racing accident that killed Gaston County 6-year-old
GASTONIA, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — A bill just filed in Raleigh, named Liam's Law after a Gaston County 6-year-old, would strengthen the penalties for street racing when someone is injured or killed.
Liam Lagunas was killed in 2021 in Gaston County. He was riding with his father, when two people in other cars started an impromptu street race.
Family, friends and law enforcement came to the Gaston County courthouse Friday to talk about why Liam's Law should become state law.
One killed, two others injured in crash along The Plaza in east Charlotte: CMPD
Lagunas was only 6 years old, but his mom says he lit up the world.
'He would literally have talked to everybody in this room and he would have tried to make everybody laugh,' said Brandi Birrittier, Liam's mother.
Liam's smile is what his dad remembers that night in June 2021, and Liam hugging his brother.
'I took him to get ice cream, we went to have a dinner,' said Santiago Lagunas, Liam's father.
The crash on U.S. Highway 74 happened so fast.
Liam and his dad were trapped in the car. Santiago Lagunas handed his son over to first responders.
'I screamed because I wanted him to wake up, he never did,' said Lagunas.
The tragedy never should have happened.
State Highway Patrol says Donnie Cobb and Gracie Eaves were street racing and caused the crash that killed Liam and injured Santiago.
'When you think about someone that recklessly did something means they had no care in the world for the other person's life, so we don't necessarily want to be driving on the road with those same kind of people,' said Birrittier.
Cobb had a history of traffic violations, including impaired driving, so he got harsher penalties.
But Eaves did not.
'What was missing was the element of malice, it was difficult for us as a prosecutor to prove malice in that case against Ms. Eaves,' said Gaston County District Attorney Travis Page.
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Eaves only got several years in prison, but under the Liam's Law bill, she would have gotten double or triple the time in prison.
'Obviously we never get Liam back so as far as justice there, there's no justice but legally there's justice,' said Birrittier.
And that's what they want for other families.
Because that's what Liam would want.
'I bet he's happy and I bet wherever he's at right now, he has that smile on his face,' said Lagunas.
Next month the Gaston County DA plans to meet with lawmakers about getting Liam's Law passed in Raleigh.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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