By Chris Clyne
A law went into effect last month that increased the severity of the consequences for drunk drivers who kill or seriously injure someone in an accident. The statute, sponsored by Sen. Charles Fuschillo, (R-Merrick), and supported by Nassau District Attorney Kathleen Rice, adds two new crimes to the law: aggravated vehicular homicide and aggravated vehicular assault.
Aggravated vehicular homicide carried a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison, and aggravated vehicular manslaughter a maximum sentence of 15 years. Fuschillo and Rice are well-known for their fierce stance against drunk driving. Since Rice's election, the district attorney has implemented a zero-tolerance policy on the issue of driving while intoxicated (DWI), even going as far as creating a separate court system for handling it.
Fuschillo introduced the bill in July 2005 after a drunk driving accident claimed the lives of Katie Flynn, 7, of Long Beach, and limousine driver Stanley Rabinowitz, 59, of Farmingdale. Martin Heidgen was intoxicated when he drove his vehicle the wrong way down a ramp on the Meadowbrook Parkway into the limousine, which was carrying a family on the way home from a wedding. The accident resulted in the death of the flower girl.
The mother of the young girl, Jennifer Flynn, had joined many others in a fight alongside Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). Flynn stood before lawmakers in Albany and recalled what it was like to hold her youngest daughter's hand as she died on the parkway.
The car accident seriously maimed Katie Flynn's father, Neil, and her grandfather, Chris Tangney.
Rockville Centre, Hempstead, Garden City and Freeport police precincts added 30 officers to monitor driving on weekends and set up additional checkpoints in varioius locations ahead of the legislation this past summer.
Drunk drivers were responsible for the deaths of 550 people last year in New York State. This new law, according to Rice, will give courts in the state the power to punish drivers who have a blood alcohol content of .18 or higher and who killed someone in a drunk driving accident.
Considering the large public outcry over drunk driving deaths, the law had little trouble passing. Candidates running for county seats were hesitant to oppose the law because doing so may have made them look soft on the issue, particularly in light of the progress Rice made during her term.
University students noticed the increased police activity months before the law went into effect. Senior Tamara Zusi, noticed the increased presence around the bars frequented by students in Hempstead.
"The police officers sit and wait, staring at the people on line," Zusi said. "It's almost like they're vultures."