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December 28, 2011 in Region
Washington officials seek tougher terms for fatal DUIs
SEATTLE — A Washington state lawmaker and two county prosecutors are backing proposed legislation to double sentencing ranges for people convicted of drunken driving fatalities.
State Rep. Christopher Hurst, D-Enumclaw, King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg and Pierce County Prosecutor Mark Lindquist on Wednesday spoke in support of proposed legislation that would substantially increase a first-time sentence for vehicular homicide.
The range is currently 31 months to 41 months in prison. That would increase to 78 to 102 months under the proposal, which would make it consistent with the sentence for first-degree manslaughter.
Hurst, who is chair of the House Public Safety Committee and was also a police officer for 25 years, plans to introduce the bill during the upcoming legislative session.
“I’ve seen the terrible carnage at these collision scenes and know the immeasurable suffering of surviving family members because some idiot chose to drive drunk,” Hurst said. “It’s time that we made the punishment fit the crime.”
The legislation also would double the sentencing ranges for vehicular homicides based on reckless driving or disregard for the safety of others, and vehicular assault.
State Sen. David Frockt, D-Seattle, also plans to introduce a vehicular homicide bill in the Senate that aims to increase the sentencing ranges for drunken-driving fatalities. Frockt said his bill already has 13 co-sponsors.
In 2010, there were 170 traffic fatalities in the state that resulted from impaired driving, according to the Washington state branch of Mothers Against Drunk Driving.
© Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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therailroader on December 28 at 3:10 p.m.
Makes sense ~ get it done!
Kivaari on December 28 at 3:48 p.m.
Good deal. Drunk drivers commit the most common violent crime in America.
Albert on December 28 at 5:13 p.m.
Completely agree! Get it done.
liberal_in_right_wing_land on December 28 at 6:14 p.m.
Should be even higher.
misjustice on December 28 at 7:27 p.m.
Quit talkin’ and pass the legislation.
; )
Birdog on December 28 at 7:46 p.m.
‘bout time…now if the “Spokane Co. Prosecutor” will up hold it when it becomes law….The USA is only country in world that is lax in DUI sentencing…it’s like its a minor thing to have some one kill another person while DUI…..
jddavis on December 28 at 8:57 p.m.
Get it done!
Liberal—exactly!
Al_Loysius on December 28 at 9:58 p.m.
It might be popular and it might make good policy, but it is going nowhere this year. The State is broke and will cut back the budget of the Dept. of Corrections even more. The Gov. is already talking about cutting prison sentences to save money. If you up the sentence for this offense, then it has a budget impact on the prison system.
However, in the meantime the measure makes the sponsors look good in an election year. This is what is known as a “hero” bill. Everybody knows it is going nowhere this session.
liveinfearoftheSPD on December 28 at 10:27 p.m.
I like it and also believe it should be even a more harsh punishment. Take away everything they own to help pay the expense of his/her incarceration.
Let the pot smokers keep their guns and take the cars away from the drinkers!
CR on December 29 at 9:18 p.m.
Is there a reason that somebody should DIE before it is taken really seriously? Why not make it more serious when they are caught DUI whether somebody was hurt or not?