In recent memory, few crimes have faced such an escalation of severity and of consequences than drunk driving — and that’s as true for the social consequences as the legal.
Now, taking things up a further notch, Tennessee is expected to sign a bill into law that will compel drunk drivers who’ve killed parents to financially support those parents’ children.
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Bill HB1834, better known as Bentley’s Law, has passed the state’s House with unanimous support.
The idea came about because of a tragedy.
In April 2021, a drunk driver killed a husband and wife — Cordell and Lacey Williams — along with their four-month-son, in a collision in Missouri. Cordell and Lacey left behind two other children, Lacey and Bentley.
And so, a grieving mom wants to make drunk drivers pay.
Shortly after the tragic collision, Cecilia Williams, the mother of Cordell Williams, introduced Bentley’s Law . Williams is now raising her two grandchildren and would like to see drunk drivers on the hook for child support if their actions cause kids to be orphaned.
“The main aspect of Bentley’s Law is financial responsibility.”
“[The driver] will always remember, this is what I did to the family, you know, and it will sink into them,” Williams told local media. “I can’t do this again. You know, I’m supporting children that aren’t mine.”
Bentley’s Law was introduced to Tennessee state representatives.
The bill, known in legalese as HB1834, easily passed the Tennessee House with unanimous support. From there, it will need Senate approval before being sent to the governor. At that point, it will likely be signed into law.
What are the specifics?
The law says that a person convicted of vehicular homicide or aggravated vehicular homicide due to intoxication in an incident in which the victim is the parent of a minor child will have to maintain child support to each of the victim’s kids until they turn 18 and have graduated from high school.
Courts will decide how much payment is appropriate.
Factors will include the needs of the children, the needs of the surviving parent or guardian, and the children’s accustomed standard of living.
If the offender is sent to prison, they’ll be given a one-year grace period on release before they’re expected to start paying child support.
We could see similar laws across the country.
The law will likely pass in Tennessee, and Williams is working on getting it passed in seven other states: Pennsylvania, Louisiana, Alabama, Virginia, Illinois, Oklahoma and Missouri. Additionally, similar bills are being drafted in Texas, Utah, Michigan and Indiana.
What do you think?
There’s no greater tragedy than seeing children orphaned at a young age due to the recklessness of a drunk driver. Is this an appropriate punishment for drunk drivers whose actions kill parents?
We want to know your thoughts, so please share them in the comments section.
