Tedisco pushes bill inspired by deadly 2012 Northway crash
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Sen. Jim Tedisco’s office says it will ask the governor to use her executive order powers to make the Christopher and Deanna’s Law a reality.
The bill has been in committee for two years.
Back in 2012, Dennis Drue was driving under the influence when he slammed into the back of an SUV, killing Chris Stewart and Deanna Rivers. Two other teens – Matt Hardy and Bailey Wind – were injured.
The students were coming back from a basketball game when the crash happened. Chris and Deanna were Shenendehowa students, as was Matt. Bailey went to Shaker.
News Vault 13: Watch our coverage of the tragedy.
Since the highly-publicized tragedy, lawmakers and the victims’ families have worked to change the parole process.
Adam Kramer of Tedisco’s office tells NewsChannel 13 the bill was sponsored two years ago and sits in committee. He says it is tough to get the bill passed because Democrats control “all levels of government” in the state.
Sen. Jim Tedisco's office says it will ask the governor to use her executive order powers to make the Christopher and Deanna's Law a reality.
The law will allow victims to have their impact statements recorded on video. That way, when a person comes up for parole, the parole board will be mandated to watch the video to get a more accurate picture of how victims have been impacted by a crime.
NewsChannel 13 has a call into the governor’s office. We’ll let you know what she has to say on our newscasts starting Live at 4, and on WNYT.com.