logo
DWI-related bills working way through legislative session

DWI-related bills working way through legislative session

Yahoo21-04-2025

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Several DWI-related bills are making their way through the Texas legislature this session.
The one with the most movement involves implementing a minimum five-year sentence for anyone convicted of intoxication manslaughter. The current punishment range is 2-20 years with various provisions.
Susan Davis spoke in favor of this bill – HB1760 – as the Committee on Corrections took it up.
'Nine years, four months and 20 days ago, I received a phone call that no parent wants to get. 'Your child has been involved in an accident and it's critical you get to the hospital as quickly as possible,'' she said.
Davis said her son and daughter-in-law were hit and killed by a drunk driver as they crossed the street on their way to a Dallas Mavericks game. Davis said prosecutors originally told her they wouldn't allow a plea deal because this was an 'open and shut' case. According to her testimony, that driver – whose blood alcohol content was twice the legal limit – ultimately did get a plea deal and served 120 days spread out 'at his convenience' over five years of probation.
'This was a slap in the face to our children and their forever grieving families,' she said.
The Committee on Corrections has made a recommendation in favor of this bill.
Erin Crawford-Bowers, an executive board member for Mothers Against Drunk Driving, works every session to push legislation like this through.
She has her own personal connection to this topic.
'When my parents were killed back in 1985, the offender only served three months in jail and did three months of probation,' she said. 'The ripple effects it has on families and kids, and all from making one small decision in your life.'
For her, legislative change is more than what's on paper – it's the underlying message it represents.
'If we can just change the mindset of Texans to say it's not okay to have a couple of drinks and get behind the wheel. Because until it happens to you you don't understand the repercussions it has on you, your family, the mental health aspect,' she said.
Other bills up this session include one that would make it more difficult to disprove someone was under the influence and another that would help maintain the quality of roadside DWI memorial signs.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

2 found guilty in 10-year-old girl's Fourth of July shooting death in Cleveland
2 found guilty in 10-year-old girl's Fourth of July shooting death in Cleveland

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

2 found guilty in 10-year-old girl's Fourth of July shooting death in Cleveland

[Attached video: Previous FOX 8 coverage] CLEVELAND (WJW) — It's been nearly one year since a 10-year-old girl was shot and killed while celebrating the Fourth of July holiday at a family gathering in Cleveland. Wednesday, two men charged in her death, Juwone Deaver and Jemerious Davis, were both found guilty of murder. Young mother killed in shooting at Cleveland Metroparks Mill Creek Falls On the evening of July 4, 2024, friends and family had gathered at a home at West 125th Street and Triskett Road. As FOX 8 News has previously reported, 10-year-old Gracie Griffin was standing outside the residence along with Deaver, Davis and Katie McKnight. According to Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O'Malley, a vehicle with four people inside drove to the house for the party. The vehicle drove past the house, turned around and pulled in front of the home. 'Deaver and Davis then opened fire shooting multiple times with a .45 caliber firearm and an AK-style firearm at the vehicle,' a Wednesday news release from O'Malley's office stated. Gracie Griffin was struck in the head during the shooting and pronounced dead at the hospital. Investigators determined that no shots were fired from the vehicle. There was 'only evidence of outgoing fire from the residence.' Retired Cleveland police officer killed in fire 'An innocent 10-year-old girl lost her life because too many guns are finding their way into the hands of stupid people,' O'Malley was quoted in the news release. 'While this verdict does not bring back Gracie, it is a significant step in justice for her. My thoughts and prayers remain with her family.' Deaver and Davis will be sentenced at the Cuyahoga County Justice Center on July 8 at 8:30 a.m. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

2 bills head to NC governor's desk to expand ICE operations
2 bills head to NC governor's desk to expand ICE operations

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

2 bills head to NC governor's desk to expand ICE operations

Two bills are hitting the North Carolina Governor's desk that would help ICE expand its deportation efforts in the state. They divided the legislature directly by party lines, and it's a perfect example of the issue that's currently dividing much of the country. As protestors in Los Angeles continue their demonstrations, legislators in North Carolina are cracking down on undocumented immigrants. House Bill 318 would expand the law that passed in November and would require sheriffs to notify Immigration and Customs Enforcement within two hours after an undocumented immigrant is scheduled to be released, and require they be held for 48 hours before doing so. It also expands the types of crimes that trigger the requirement to now include any felony, Class A1 misdemeanors against a child in the womb or involving sexual assault, and DWI offenses. Senate Bill 153 requires more state agencies to work with ICE, and it would train them to check whether people are here illegally. That would include the departments of public safety, corrections, highway patrol, and the State Bureau of Investigation. It also directs agencies to stop providing state benefits to noncitizens, including unemployment compensation. It also allows victims of crimes committed by undocumented immigrants to sue cities and counties if they create sanctuary policies, and it forbids the UNC school system from keeping information from federal immigration officials. Gilberto Pagan is the director of Hispanos del Sur, a conservative Hispanic organization, and he's in favor of the bills. 'I think generally speaking, it's about safety, it's about everybody's safety across the whole state, and that includes immigrant communities and everybody who lives here,' Pagan said. Earlier this week, pro-immigrant rights groups spoke out against recent immigration raids. Both bills passed the legislature on Tuesday. Gov. Josh Stein wouldn't answer whether or not he will sign them into law. His office told Channel 9, 'He has made clear that if someone commits a crime and they are here illegally, they should be deported.' Stein has 10 days to veto the bills or they'll become law. In the meantime, organizers plan to protest in First Ward Park this Saturday at 11 a.m. It's the same day that President Donald Trump has called for a parade in Washington D.C. to celebrate the Army's 250th birthday. June 14 is also Trump's birthday. (VIDEO: Supporters in Charlotte call for release of SEIU leader after ICE protests)

Charlotte man accused of trying to sexually assault woman after helping her with groceries
Charlotte man accused of trying to sexually assault woman after helping her with groceries

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

Charlotte man accused of trying to sexually assault woman after helping her with groceries

Court records obtained by Channel 9 this week say a man offered to help a woman with her groceries before trying to sexually assault her in her own apartment. It happened last week after the woman got off the bus along Monroe Road. Channel 9 Crime Reporter Hunter Sáenz learned that the woman fought back. Kristopher Davis was arrested and charged with attempted second-degree sexual offense. Police say the victim is a woman who is developmentally disabled. 'I think it always hits home a little bit more when it's someone who we know is especially vulnerable,' said Leanna Pai, who works with survivors at Safe Alliance. The domestic and sexual violence resource center says roughly 80% of women with disabilities say they've been sexually assaulted. That's 40% higher than their non-disabled counterparts. 'Someone who is an abuser or might assault someone can definitely take advantage of physical limitations, or cognitive limitations,' Pai told Sáenz. The victim told police she got off a bus with her groceries and Davis walked up, introduced himself, and insisted on helping her carry her groceries. When they got to her apartment, she told police that Davis insisted on coming inside. When he did, he told her, 'Now I'm going to have oral sex with you,' according to court records. Davis is then accused of 'smacking her twice' and also grabbed for her clothing, court documents say. She told officers she was able to run out screaming, and that got the attention of someone at the leasing office, who came outside -- that spooked off Davis. Police say that when the victim went to get help, Davis ran away. He was later caught and taken into custody and held on a $100,000 secured bond. He was then transferred to another county to face additional charges there. Pai says she wants women to know they have a safe place they can go. Safe Alliance has a 24-hour hope line that survivors can call for support and resources. That number is 980-771-HOPE and it's available in English and Spanish. (VIDEO: Former CMS educator arrested in St. Louis, accused of sexually abusing students)

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store