Lacey's Law-To toughen penalties for WI drunk drivers

Target:

Wisconsin State Legislature

Sponsored by:

D.C.E Jr. High National Junior Honor Society and Student Council

We, the undersigned, in an effort to make our highways safer, urge the Wisconsin State Legislature, led by our hometown Senator Russ Decker, to adopt "Lacey's Law"--in honor of Lacey Meinel, who was unnecessarily and tragically killed by a drunk driver in January of 2009.
Lacey's Law would:
   -Impose a $1000 fine, a 30-day jail sentence, and revoke an OWI offender's license for two years after the first offense,
    -Impose a 6-month felony jail sentence and permanently revoke the OWI offender's license after the second offense,
    -Impose a 25-year prison sentence with NO POSSIBILITY of parole for 10 years if an innocent person is killed or severely injured in an accident that stemmed from drunk driving,
    -Impose severe penalties (including the loss of liquor license) for bar owners, bartenders, or bar security that knowingly allows a drunken patron (.08 BAC) to leave the establishment with car keys

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1,766
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We signed the "Lacey's Law-To toughen penalties for WI drunk drivers" petition!

# 1,766:

10:59 am PDT, Jul 17, Ramona C. Davila, Texas
I'm signing this petition because I'm the aunt of Alan & Bailey Calvillo who were killed on Feb. 7, 2009 by a 22 year old drunk driver after drinking all day while fishing and was also smoking pot before he got in his truck and hit the car who Alan & Bailey were in head on. They never had a change, yet the driver was able to walk away. There has got to be a stiffer law for Wisconsin drunk drivers who tragically kill innocent people like a 41 year old father of four and his 11 year old son. Please sign this Petition for all family's who are going thought this.

# 1,765:

8:55 am PDT, Jul 17, Kanen Peterson, Wisconsin

# 1,764:

1:01 pm PDT, Jul 16, Michael Hoye, Nevada
My nephew recently lost his best friend in a drunk driving accident. Even before this I have always felt drunk driving deaths should be treated as a homicide, and if you get pulled over for drunk driving you should get more than a slap on the wrist. The Dangers of drunk driving will only get worse if we dont put in place and enforce tougher laws against it. It is a shame people have to suffer losses of a loved ones over something so unnecessary.

# 1,763:

7:03 am PDT, Jul 16, Rebecca Schulist, Wisconsin

# 1,762:

3:34 pm PDT, Jul 15, Annette Calvillo-Lewandowski, California
On February 7, 2009 Alan and Bailey Calvillo grabbed their camera and said their goodbye, their final goodbye, walked out the door to go to a Milwaukee Bucks game...little did we know that the rest of the Calvillo and Wermeling families would receive that fateful phone call that would change our lives FOREVER. Alan is my cousin. My heart would break when I would hear in the news of drunk driving tragedies. I never imagined my heart would be shattered by such terrible news on February 7th. Driving is a privilege it is not a right. Drunk driving you lose that privilege, drunk driving and you kill someone with a car, which in my opinion, is a deadly weapon, you go to prison. The laws have to change. A father and son are dead. The "alleged" drunk driver, who admitted to being drunk and high on drugs, gets to see his family, talk to his friends, watch the Milwaukee Bucks and Brewers on TV. As we try to pick up the pieces we get to be reminded every single day that Alan and Bailey will not be with us as we visit with our family, talk to friends, or watch the Milwaukee Bucks and Brewers on TV. The "alleged drunk driver" gets to kiss his parents goodnight...if only we could give Alan and Bailey our kisses.

# 1,761:

9:20 am PDT, Jul 15, Judy Lyons, Wisconsin
I strongly support this action. It has long been my opinion that drunk driving deaths should have the same penalty as any other homocide!!! The slap on the wrist that is currently in use is ridiculous and enabling.

# 1,760:

1:01 pm PDT, Jul 14, Michelle Hall, Wisconsin
In memory of Alan & Bailey Calvillo.

# 1,759:

8:18 pm PDT, Jul 13, Lisa Riggs, Wisconsin
My husbands twin brother was killed when he was 27 yrs old on June 10, 1995 by a drunk driver. The stupid thing was that the drunk driver's wife was driving a separate car behind him and he didn't want to leave the car at the bar. This has affected my mother-in-law in ways that I can't describe. My husband just doesn't talk about it. This happened in Great Lakes Illinois and I believe that the drunk driver only got 6 months in jail.

# 1,758:

6:56 pm PDT, Jul 13, Jenna Maly, Wisconsin
Lacey was one of my best friends. My life will never be the same with out her. I try and keep updated on the trial and have been informed that the guy who killed Lacey is saying no contest to her murder and not guilty to the injuries to her mother. I don’t see how it’s fair that he will have a normal life. I don’t understand why the charges for killing someone because you are drunk and killing someone with a knife are any different; their life is stolen either way. Her life is no more, so why isn’t his? I just don’t understand how he can says he did nothing wrong, if he had any ounce of remorse then hed do the right thing. I know it may sound cruel, but has a bastard who I'll never be able to forgive. Death by the stupidity of drunk drivers isn’t taken seriously by the state of Wisconsin. I’m glad there are people who notice this issue and are taking charge. Thank you so much, you’ll never know how much it means to me.

# 1,757:

1:35 pm PDT, Jul 13, Nicole Pupanek, Wisconsin

# 1,756:

9:16 pm PDT, Jul 12, Name not displayed, Wisconsin
Because I care about this issue!

# 1,755:

7:57 pm PDT, Jul 12, Kristin Smith, Wisconsin
In May 2008, I lost my cousin to a 4th offense drunk driver. She was only 30 years and had a full life ahead of her. As if that wasn't bad enough, in February 2009 we also lost a friend AND his 12 year old son to another drunk driver. This is just getting out of control! THREE deaths in LESS than a year caused by the stupidity of drunk drivers and the legal system! Wisconsin really needs to start getting more strict on this!!!

# 1,754:

5:04 pm PDT, Jul 11, Name not displayed, Wisconsin
I have a daughter getting ready for drivers ed. and it is very scary to think that there a people out there that don't think when they drink and then drive, I hope with a harder law in place may make them think twice...

# 1,753:

4:53 pm PDT, Jul 11, Lisa Sukow, Wisconsin
My nephew's wife was killed by a fourth offense drunk driver...they didn't even get to celebrate their second anniversary.

# 1,752:

7:45 am PDT, Jul 11, Jean Hellwig, Wisconsin
Tell why you are signing this petition/how drunk driving has affected you.

# 1,751:

9:15 pm PDT, Jul 10, Emily Lita, Wisconsin
In February 2009 2 friends of mine Alan (age 41) and Bailey (age 11) WERE KILLED ONT HEIR WAY TO A BASKETBALL GAME,leaving behind a wife and 3 other children and many other family members who loved them very much. This was a tragedy that may have been prevented if WI had tougher laws. It has affected many people whose lives will never be the same.

# 1,750:

1:47 pm PDT, Jul 10, Kathie Kress, Wisconsin

# 1,749:

10:19 am PDT, Jul 10, Lisa Solis, Wisconsin
In memory of Alan and Bailey Calvillo, a father and son who's lives were taken by a drunk driver.

# 1,748:

9:17 am PDT, Jul 10, Carrie Shockman, Wisconsin
Our small school and church community were devasted when two of our much too young members, Alan (39) and Bailey (11) Calvillo were taken from us by a drunk driver. Our family and community is forever changed by this preventable tragedy. My young children have had to experience real grief at losing a friend. We need to have tougher laws to help prevent more of these tragedies from happening.

# 1,747:

8:54 am PDT, Jul 10, Craig Calvillo, Wisconsin
I lost my 41 year old brother (Alan) and 11 year old nephew (Bailey) by a drunk driver in February 7, 2009 in the town of Fort Atkinson

# 1,746:

7:45 am PDT, Jul 10, Kathleen Wilson, Wisconsin
In memory of Alan and Bailey Calvillo. Although I did not personally know them, I was made very aware of the pain and suffering it caused their friends and family in Fort Atkinson through our family living there.

# 1,745:

7:04 am PDT, Jul 10, Jen Vogel, Wisconsin

# 1,744:

6:21 am PDT, Jul 10, Joseph Hess, Wisconsin
In memory of Alan and Bailey. Our highways are not safe.

# 1,743:

5:46 am PDT, Jul 10, Kathleen M. Wilson, Wisconsin
In memory of 11 year old Bailey who was sitting in my classroom smiling on a Friday morning and was gone on Saturday night. In memory of his father Alan who decided to fill his pockets with tootsie pops at Bailey's Saturday morning basketball game, "just in case" he needed them for the kids. For Wendy, Braedan, Ellie and Brogan for whom this law may bring some peace.

# 1,742:

8:33 pm PDT, Jul 9, Suvojit Basu, Wisconsin
In February of 2009 one of my son's best friend (12 year old) and his father (Bailey and Alan Calvillo) were tragically killed by a drunk driver on the outskirts of Fort Atkinson, WI. I am certain that if one of our state representatives or people in the judicial system faced a person tragedy such as these laws would be changed very quickly. It's a shame that we as a society continue to protect the rights of the "drunks" and provide absolutely no protection to innocent people trying to live their lives and do things right. It's like we are going back to the Dark Ages and the lame excuse of a judicial system needs a strong advocate who has the courage to stand up for us. We live in an age of information transparency and all you have to do is look at the statistics to show you that this CAN be avoided but we refuse to take any action. I suppose we can only hope.

# 1,741:

8:26 pm PDT, Jul 9, R.M. Gilson, Wisconsin

# 1,740:

8:20 pm PDT, Jul 9, Deanna Calvillo-Harvey, Wisconsin
We lost my wonderful brother and beautiful nephew on Feb.7 the pain is as raw as the day we received the horrible call. Enough is Enough. Drunk Driving could effect ANYONE, ANYTIME. It could be you and your family.....ENOUGH IS ENOUGH...Love at all times for my big brother Alan,and nephew Bailey Calvillo.

# 1,739:

4:57 pm PDT, Jul 9, Name not displayed, Wisconsin

# 1,738:

4:18 pm PDT, Jul 9, Josie Hammer, Wisconsin

# 1,737:

4:11 pm PDT, Jul 9, Wendy Calvillo, Wisconsin
In loving memory of my beloved boys, Alan and Bailey Calvillo, who asked for nothing more that night other then to have a fantastic time, father and son, at a Milwaukee Bucks game.

# 1,736:

3:45 pm PDT, Jul 9, Fr. Jay Poster, Wisconsin

# 1,735:

2:55 pm PDT, Jul 9, Sarah Hammer, Wisconsin
For Wendy...in memory of Alan and Bailey Calvillo.

# 1,734:

2:26 pm PDT, Jul 9, Colleen Peterson, Wisconsin
For Alan and Bailey Calvillo.

# 1,733:

1:36 pm PDT, Jul 9, Barbara Hoye, Wisconsin

# 1,732:

1:06 pm PDT, Jul 9, Rhona Buchta, Wisconsin
In Memory of Alan and Bailey Calvillo. For all the loved ones they had to leave behind, because one person didn't care about anyone else but themselves to go behind the wheel so impaired without any remorse of the repercussions that was left behind of their selfish behavior

# 1,731:

12:46 pm PDT, Jul 9, Michael Bender, Wisconsin

# 1,730:

12:13 pm PDT, Jul 9, Kelly Opperman, Wisconsin
In memory of Alan and Bailey Calvillo.

# 1,729:

11:47 am PDT, Jul 9, Linda Teed, Wisconsin
I have been a witness to the tragedy that occurs when someone drinking has gotten behind the wheel. I have witnessed it from the faces of those left behind as well as imagined the hell that all who knew the driver must now live with. None were prepared for the emotional scarring that occurs when precious life is taken.

# 1,728:

11:33 am PDT, Jul 9, Laura Davis, Wisconsin

# 1,727:

11:06 am PDT, Jul 9, Annette Hoye, Wisconsin

# 1,726:

10:50 am PDT, Jul 9, Laurie Gilson, Wisconsin
I strongly support this petition because a dear friend of mine lost not only her husband of nearly 18 years, but her 11-year old son to a drunk driver. This was the drunk driver's 1st offense and he KILLED TWO people. He destroyed a beautiful family. Three children are now left behind without their Daddy and their big brother. A loving wife and doting mother is left behind to attempt to pick up the pieces of her life and that of her children's. This matter is right vs. wrong. These KILLERS must be stopped - there must be an END put to this madness!

# 1,725:

10:31 am PDT, Jul 9, Debbie Wermeling, Wisconsin
My nephew and brother-in-law were killed by a drunk driver Feb. 7, 2009. My sister and her remaining three children (8, 7 and 4) have been devasted. We have already had to celebrate Bailey's birthday in a cemetary and my sister missed what would have been her 18 year wedding anniversary with her husband. Our case is still pending and my sister has to deal with it on a regular basis. My heart breaks for her and the kids every day. This is a tragedy that should have never happened. My nephew and brother-in-law were on their way to a Bucks game to spend some father/son time together. It was around 6:10 p.m. Our lives have been forever scarred. Drunk drivers need to be punished more harshly or they will never stop...

# 1,724:

6:25 pm PDT, Jul 7, Theresa Nelson, Wisconsin
In memory of Lacey and in memory of Bailey and Al Calvillo (father and son) who were also killed by a drunk driver in February 2009 (Fort Atkinson, WI).

# 1,723:

11:26 am PDT, Jul 6, Iii Hhh, Delaware
I met Lacey online, and was shocked to know she died. I hope that this law will prevent more needless cases such as this.

# 1,722:

5:01 pm PDT, Jun 29, Name not displayed, Wisconsin

# 1,721:

2:00 pm PDT, Jun 15, Josie Serro, New Jersey
Laws are to strict already. leave it alone!!

# 1,720:

10:59 pm PDT, Jun 8, Lisa Capri, California
I read about Lacey in US Skating magazine and was very sad that she had to die needlessly. My brother's friend was killed by a drunk driver as well.

# 1,719:

3:09 pm PDT, Jun 5, Janet K Volpe, Wisconsin
I am signing this petition, because myself or one of my loved ones could be next. This was a tragic shame.

# 1,718:

2:59 pm PDT, Jun 5, Teresa Vercimak, Wisconsin

# 1,717:

9:02 am PDT, Jun 1, Diane Blacher, Wisconsin

# 1,716:

3:59 pm PDT, May 28, Jim Langerud, Wisconsin

# 1,715:

12:20 pm PDT, May 24, Yvette Herrera, Wisconsin
I was deeply saddened at the news of Lacey's death. I am an alumnus of D. C. Everest, and my mother works with Lacey's older brother. I have long felt that much stricter penalties are needed for drunk drivers. I hope and pray that those in the Wisconsin State Legislature take this problem seriously and make Lacey's Law a reality.

# 1,714:

3:19 pm PDT, May 23, Sheyann Fletcher, Wisconsin

# 1,713:

4:35 pm PDT, May 22, Ashley Weidman, Wisconsin
It's ridiculous how such a great amount of drunk drivers can take the life of many, many people and get away with it. There's no possible way to bring someone who passed away, ESPECIALLY due to such carelessness; therefore, there shouldn't be a way for the drunk to get let off the hook with a slap on the hand. Regardless of whether you're two years old or ninety years old, being taken away is going to effect everyone. This NEEDS to be stopped! Rest in peace Lacey. You are greatly missed.

# 1,712:

9:14 pm PDT, May 21, Fern Fletcher, Wisconsin

# 1,711:

4:14 pm PDT, May 21, Tricia Allen, Wisconsin
I am signing this petition because drinking and driving, no matter the age of the driver or what number their offense, is a crime and its time the "slap on the hand" attitude of the system is changed and the penilties stiffened.

# 1,710:

3:54 pm PDT, May 21, Janelle Guenthner, Wisconsin

# 1,709:

9:40 am PDT, May 21, Giles Clark, Wisconsin

# 1,708:

11:42 am PDT, May 19, Karoline Schwantes, Wisconsin

# 1,707:

1:32 pm PDT, May 18, Jennifer Lachney, Louisiana

# 1,706:

9:37 pm PDT, May 17, Katharine HB, Ohio
This is such a sad event that truly touches every single skater in the skating world. All skaters have had those long drives to and from competitions and on the drive back go over and over your competition and what you can improve on and what you really did well! It is such a sad thing to have a skater be savagely killed like this! I cannot believe that a person could possible drive knowing that they are not fit to be driving! Lacey's death is a sad result of this stupid act by the driver! Every figure skater mourns poor Lacey! The only thing that could bring hope out of this horrible situation is the fact that maybe her death will bring to light the ridiculous drunk driving penalties in the state of Wisconsin and make the new law propositions an actual law! Even though I never knew Lacey I am truly saddened by her passing but I will be forever mindful of her riveting story and make sure to put out all of my efforts to have everyone in Ohio aware of the significant repercutions of driving drunk! Lacey, you will ALWAYS be remembered!

# 1,705:

8:45 am PDT, May 16, Kristin Slattery, Wisconsin

# 1,704:

7:07 am PDT, May 16, Name not displayed, Wisconsin

# 1,703:

2:04 pm PDT, May 15, Pamela DeBord, Wisconsin

# 1,702:

1:24 pm PDT, May 15, Sheryl Kuehmichel, Wisconsin
I went to school with Lacey's mom and am deeply saddened by their loss due to such carelessness.

# 1,701:

4:48 pm PDT, May 14, Anne Marie, Wisconsin

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