Assembly stiffens fatal crash penalty

Kirsten Searer

Wednesday, April 13, 2005 | 9:32 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Drivers who are found to have showed simple negligence while defying routine traffic laws, contributing to a fatality, could be charged with vehicular manslaughter under a bill passed Tuesday by the Assembly.

Assembly Bill 295 stipulates that people can be charged with the misdemeanor if they kill someone while committing offenses such as speeding, running a red light, making an illegal lane change or inattentive driving.

Assemblywoman Sheila Leslie, D-Reno, said the legislation was prompted by families who were frustrated that their loved ones were killed on the road.

But right now, said Assemblywoman Debbie Smith, D-Sparks, the law doesn't punish drivers differently whether they hit a road sign or a person.

Leslie pointed out that 52 pedestrians died in Clark County in 2004, up 10 percent from the previous year.

"No matter how accidental the circumstances might have been, the consequences are still the same: Somebody is dead," Leslie said.

A misdemeanor vehicular homicide charge could yield up to six months in prison and a $1,000 fine.

Assemblywoman Chris Giunchigliani, D-Las Vegas, was the sole dissenter on the bill, saying she's concerned that some people could spend time in prisons for honest accidents.

The bill now moves on to the Senate.

The Assembly also unanimously passed Assembly Bill 21, which prohibits victims of domestic violence from entering into a civil compromise with their abusers.

Current law allows the courts to discharge defendants in domestic violence cases if they have made a contract to provide some sort payment to the victim.

"The victim in these cases is often physically and psychologically threatened by the defendant," said Assemblywoman Susan Gerhardt, D-Henderson, who sponsored the bill.

Other legislators spoke up to say they thought the civil compromises allow abusers to walk away with no punishment.

The bill now goes to the Senate.

The Assembly also passed Assembly Bill 112, which requires that floatation devices on boats be easily accessible and specifies how long a throwing line must be for various types of boats.

Assemblywoman Bonnie Parnell, D-Carson City, said the bill was inspired by a woman who tried to save her drowning husband on Lake Mead but could not throw him a floatation device in time.