Three years ago, Frank Blair received the news that is every parent’s nightmare. In the middle of the night, a police officer knocked on his door and told him that his 24-year-old daughter had been killed by a drunk driver.
Since that tragic evening, Frank has dedicated his life to preventing other parents from receiving similar news.
That work received legislative approval during the last week of session when the House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 5912 with unanimous support.
The measure will target repeat drunk drivers through mandatory arrests for a second offense and requiring an interlock system to be required within five business days of release.
The bill also provides critical funding for prosecutors to file charges against chronic offenders.
The bill was introduced by Rep. Dawn Morrell, a critical-care nurse who represents the Blair family in the state legislature.
“I’ve had to ask the family of a 12-year-old drunk driving victim if they want their child to be an organ donor,” said Rep. Morrell. “As a nurse and as a mother, these decisions are too painful to imagine. The changes we made will make Washington roadways safer for our kids and grandkids.”
Rep. Monica Stonier, a teacher and a parent to two small children, spoke in favor of the legislation on the House floor. She told the story of Charlie Heroux, a 26-year-old man from Vancouver who was killed by a drunk driver after working a late-night shift at a local pizza place.
You can watch Rep. Stonier’s complete speech below.