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Alting: Gov. Daniels signs ‘Jimmy DeBoy’ bill in ceremony
(STATEHOUSE) – Sen. Ron Alting (R-Lafayette) said he is pleased Gov. Mitch Daniels today signed the Jimmy DeBoy bill into law during a ceremonial bill signing.
“Enacting the Jimmy DeBoy Bill has nearly taken a year,” Alting said. “I am pleased the governor has signed the new bill. Today, hard work and dedication was rewarded.”
Named for a local youth who was struck and killed by an impaired driver, the Jimmy DeBoy bill mandates that impaired drivers leaving the scene of an accident after causing serious bodily injury or death face a possible 6- to 20-year jail term and $10,000 fine. Impaired drivers with previous OWI convictions who cause death, serious bodily injury or drive with a minor in the vehicle will face a possible 2- to 8-year jail term and $10,000 fine.
Mike DeBoy, Jimmy DeBoy’s father, stood with his family during the ceremonial signing.
“We are just happy with all the hard work that everybody put in to try to make a little good out of something that was very sad to us,” DeBoy said.
Patrick Harrington, Tippecanoe County Prosecuting Attorney, came to the Statehouse in support of the new law that “. . . provides prosecutors a new tool to combat drunk drivers who injure or kill people on the roadway.”
“This is a very important piece of legislation and it’s long overdue,” Harrington said. “What’s important is how many people had to die or be permanently injured before the state legislators really looked at this area of the law and decided that it was outdated and need to be improved. I’m very grateful to Sen. Alting for all the work he and his staff put in.”
Joann Liphard, widow of Robert Liphard, is pleased with the tougher penalties placed on impaired driving. Robert was killed on Aug. 16, 2006 by an impaired driver.
“I’m very happy that this bill finally got passed,” Liphard said.
Sen. Alting represents Senate District 22, which includes a portion of Tippecanoe County.
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Audio Clip: Mike Deboy
Audio Clip: Tippecanoe County Prosecuting Attorney |
