Kansas lawmakers are fighting for tougher drunk driving laws after a teacher was critically hurt last year.
Mija Stockman was driving to work at a McPherson elementary school on Dec. 20, 2013. A drunk driver hit her vehicle head-on, and she sustained critical injuries. She’s still in rehabilitation today.
In July, Jeffrey Paul Davis pleaded no contest for aggravated battery while driving under the influence. He was sentenced to 34 months in jail.
“My first reaction is that this was a joke cause long after he is released from prison, the family will still be struggling and my heart just went out to them,” said Les Mason, a Kansas representative of the 73rd district.
Mason and representative Steven Johnson are co-sponsoring a new bill, Mija’s Law. It’s currently being drafted by legal experts in Topeka. Mason said the goal is to create harsher punishments for drunk drivers and repeat offenders. He plans to introduce the bill this next legislative session.
“We’re trying to put some real good teeth into this and like I say, we can’t do anything to help this family but maybe we can prevent a miscarriage of justice down the road,” he said.