TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Florida lawmakers want to increase penalties for people trying to escape law enforcement.
On Saturday, Florida Highway Patrol chased a Southernpa man and authorities said they had stole an ambulance. They also said he was drinking.
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In January, the eight sat down with Danla Fontaine and their son on a wreck of a car. LaFontaine went to pick up her son from school when a man running from police crashed into another vehicle with them in a stolen car.
“We are all very fortunate, even the drivers and even the perpetrators are lucky because it was a massacre. It was a complete destruction. I’ve never seen anything like that,” LaFontaine said. “You have an innocent bystander like me who just came to pick up your son from school and didn’t know what was going to happen.”
House Bill 113 deals with people trying to flee or escape police.
Representative Ryan Chamberlin, who proposed the bill, answered questions in the email to his office.
“The law will increase scoring, so second crimes will force prison time, especially in regards to the fast chase aspect,” they said. “The intended goal of House Bill 113 is to stop and reduce the amount of individuals who will ultimately flee from life-saving law enforcement officers.”
Tracking Safety, a group that works to prevent the tragedy of police pursuits, said the bill should add a balance of public safety.
“We need to keep in mind not only the safety of the public, but not just the people we are chasing. “If it’s not a forced felony. If the gun isn’t involved. If it’s not rape, robbery, abduction of children, or something along those lines, the safety of the pursuit feels like it doesn’t rank the risks that come from that pursuit.”
Lafontaine said police are doing tough jobs and understands that chase is always a risk. But he hopes that the bill will become law.
“I say I’m totally for that,” LaFontaine said. “If there are more serious charges, it will cut down on police pursuits.”
If passed, the law will come into effect on October 1, 2025.
