Texas It is the last state to comply with this law, making it the 24th in the United States to do so – either this law or a similar law – so that children are adequately protected.
The proponents of this law, passed unanimously in Texas, believe that the monthly compensation payments It reminds drivers that something is wrong, and they think it’s a reason for any driver to think twice before driving. driving under the influence of alcohol.
A law that came from the efforts of Cecile Williams, a grandmother from Tennessee who suffered one of the most difficult strokes. His son Cordell, his daughter-in-law Lavy – aged 30 and 25 – and his newborn grandson Cordell II, died in an accident when their car collided in another driven by David Thurby, who was in state of intoxication.
The car driven by Thurby rear-ended Cordell’s car and sent it off the road, hitting a tree and catching fire. Thurby’s alcohol level was twice the legal limit.
Tennessee this law was adopted last year and other states joined it, known as ‘Bentley’s Law’. Cecile Williams must take care of Mason and Bentley, her other two orphaned grandchildren.
The law also establishes clear obligations to lead. The amount of pension to be paid up to the age of 18 takes into account the standard of living led by the children, their physical and emotional condition and their educational needs. All this is without prejudice to other compensation that has already been established or the prison sentence that would have been imposed. If this happens, the payments will start one year after the driver is released from prison.
