Townhall Meeting Set to Toughen DUI Laws

Save

Reporter: Deb Farris
Email Address: dfarris@kake.com

3 comments

A | A | A

The DUI Victims Center of Kansas is planning a townhall meeting Thursday night after last week's deadly accident.

Claudia Mijares and her 4-year-old daughter Gisele were crossing the street in front of Gardiner Elementary School when a speeding SUV hit and killed them.

Police say the driver, Gary Hammitt was drunk. He is facing his fifth DUI.

The DUI Victims Center of Kansas says the community is outraged and wants changes in DUI laws.

"We can lock them up, then they get out and what do they do? The penalties need to be harsh," said Mary Ann Khoury who is the CEO of the Victims Center.

The townhall meeting is scheduled for 8:00 Thursday night. The place has not yet been set.

More Stories
Local Company Steps Up To Spread Holiday Cheer

Rollover Accident Near Hesston Injures One

Holiday Airline Travelers Should Expect Changes

Bowlers to Bring $127 Million to Reno in 2011

Wichita Police Launch Dash Cam Pilot Project

High Speed Chase Ends In Oklahoma City

Group Censures Salerno For Backing Out Of Contract

Outstanding Economic Stimulus Payments in Jeopardy

Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: James Location: w on Oct 7, 2008 at 08:31 AM
We already have laws in place; the liberal judges keep letting them slip by because the jails are full

Posted by: Mimi Location: Wichita on Oct 7, 2008 at 07:01 AM
Keri @ 7:01 p.m. - Yeah, that sounds good, but having their license pulled away from them doesn't stop them from not driving. I say lock em up for life .. that will keep their butts off the streets!!

Posted by: Keri Location: Anywhere on Oct 6, 2008 at 07:01 PM
There should be a law that if you are convicted of Felony DUI, you lose your license for life!

Offbeat News Headlines
FCC Appeals Janet Jackson Case to Supreme Court Janet Jackson's breast-baring performance at the 2004 Super Bowl is still making news. (Full Story)
Traffic Stop Nets Cops Designer Jean Counterfeiter New York police say a van carrying nearly 1,000 pairs of counterfeit jeans — complete with fake Saks and Bloomingdale's price tags — has been intercepted because of a broken taillight. (Full Story)
Florida Man Accused Of Hurling Sandwich At Girlfriend A Florida man is accused of tossing a sandwich at his girlfriend as they cruised down an interstate, knocking off her glasses and nearly causing her to lose control of the car. (Full Story)
Massachusetts Woman's 1 Cent Debt Paid In Full A 74-year-old blind woman's 1 cent debt to a Massachusetts city has been settled. (Full Story)
Iowa Magician, Hand Model Sues Over Snipped Finger A hand model, magician and actor blames a Martha Stewart-branded lounge chair for snipping off a bit of his livelihood. (Full Story)
Goodwill Finds Man Who Mistakenly Donated $7,500 It took some fancy footwork, but a Goodwill store in Illinois has found the owner of $7,500 in cash mistakenly donated with old shoes. (Full Story)
Skull With Built-In Sauna Turns Heads In Austria An oversize skull with a built-in sauna is turning heads in the Austrian capital. The white walk-in structure, situated near a busy Vienna intersection, is known as the "Wellness Skull" and also boasts a bathtub and shower. On either side of the neck, that is. (Full Story)
Squirrels Blamed For KSU Power Outage A couple of squirrels put Kansas State University in the dark for a few hours. (Full Story)
Robber Threatens To Complain After Finding No Cash Police say a central Pennsylvania man tried to rob a bank, but tellers' empty cash drawers thwarted his attempt. (Full Story)
Beer Truck Driver Accused Of Driving Drunk A contract beer truck driver has been arrested on suspicion of drunken driving after his rig flipped over. (Full Story)
NY Pet Cemetery Ranked Among Taj Mahal, Pyramids A travel guide's list of the best places in the world to be entombed includes a cemetery for animals in a New York City suburb. (Full Story)
Salvation Army Testing Credit, Debit Cards At Red Kettles It's a true season of change: The Salvation Army is experimenting with a plastic alternative for folks who don't have cash to throw in a holiday red kettle. (Full Story)
More Headlines

KAKE Mobile