Ohio lawmakers unanimously pass firefighter amendment in vehicular manslaughter cases

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – An modification to Senate Invoice 185 handed by the Ohio Home new requires a minimal five-year sentence to these convicted of vehicular manslaughter when the sufferer is a firefighter or EMT.

Following the demise of Cleveland firefighter Johnny Tetrick in a hit-skip crash on Nov. 19, Ohio Representatives Tom Patton and Bride Rose Sweeney introduced this modification ahead.

Comparable necessities are already set for instances the place the sufferer is a police officer or BCI investigator.

“It wasn’t a brand new regulation that we have been passing, it was solely going to be a regulation to incorporate what ought to have been included again in 2004 after we did the preliminary obligatory 5 years,” mentioned Patton.

Present Ohio regulation states that these convicted of vehicular manslaughter whereas beneath the affect can face a compulsory jail sentence of anyplace between two and eight years, in addition to a lifetime license suspension.

Sweeney acknowledged that whereas the modification wouldn’t deliver Tetrick again, his demise influenced state lawmakers to have firefighter backs.

Parma Firefighter T.J. Martin hopes this tragedy will make individuals pay much more consideration behind the wheel for their very own security, in addition to these working to maintain them protected.

“Transfer over and decelerate,” mentioned Martin. “They’re their on your safety. Give them that chance to guard you.”

The Home unanimously added the modification Thursday, with the invoice itself passing by a 55-22 vote.

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