Prosecutors and several state lawmakers want longer sentence ranges in vehicular homicide and vehicular assault cases.
King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg, State Rep. Christopher Hurst, D-Enumclaw and Pierce County Prosecutor Mark Lindquist announced Wednesday their support for House Bill 2216, according to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office website.
Hurst is one of the sponsors of the bill to be introduced during the 2012 legislative session that would more than double a first-time sentence for alcohol or drug-impaired drivers convicted of vehicular homicide. The current range of 31 to 41 months in prison would increase to a new range of 78 to 102 months, making it consistent with a sentence for first-degree manslaughter.
It also increases sentences for vehicular homicides based on reckless driving or disregard for the safety of others, and vehicular assaults. Vehicular homicide based on reckless driving is currently 21 to 27 months in prison, but the new range becomes 51 to 68 months. Under disregard for the safety of others, 15 to 20 months increases to 21 to 27 months.
Alcohol or drug impaired drivers charged with vehicular assault currently face 3 to 9 months, but the new range would be 6 to 12 months.
In addition to House Bill 2216, State Sen. David Frockt, D-Seattle, plans to introduce a bill in the Senate in January aimed at increasing sentence ranges for vehicular homicides and assaults, according to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
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