Family of Slain Virginia Trooper Speaks Out on Sentencing of Person Who Killed Their Brother
Hello. My name is Lauren Fox and I am the surviving sister of Trooper Andrew David Fox, who was struck and killed on October 5, 2012 while directing traffic at the Virginia State Fair. The driver of the Jeep had already traveled through the state police controlled intersection once before returning through the intersection and failing to slow down. She was traveling 37 mph in a 35 mph zone. Two other lanes stopped but she continued through, killing my brother.
She was charged with reckless driving, only a misdemeanor, and received a $1,000 fine and a 12 month suspended sentence. Her reckless disregard stole the life of my brother, a man who was loved and respected by all who knew him. The idea that life can be stolen for only a misdemeanor while theft of $300 is considered a felony made his death seem even more of a waste.
Throughout the past year, my family has been working on introducing what has become known as "Andrew's Law", which would make striking an emergency worker performing their duties outside of their vehicles on the roads a felony in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Senator Puckett is carrying SB293 in the Senate and Delegate Morefield is carrying HB1148 in the House.
On Monday, January 27, the bill was heard in the Senate Courts of Justice Committee of the Virginia Senate. The Committee began with questioning of Senator Puckett and it looked like they were going to kill the bill. After testimony from our family, they unanimously passed the bill in their committee with amendments that broadened the scope to applying to emergency responders inside their vehicles. They also changed it to a Class 5 Felony. SB293 has been referred to the Finance Committee in the Virginia Senate and will be heard at 8 a.m. on Friday, January 31.
With the passing of this bill and public education, we hope to show Virginia's heroes we care about their safety as they put their lives in danger to make our lives safer. We also hope to send a message to drivers to slow down when they see emergency lights and pay closer attention while driving on Virginia's roads.
The problem is that the House Appropriations Committee is not interested in allowing this bill to get to a committee in the House that would be able to vote to pass it. We need help to get them to give the bill a fair hearing. We need Virginians to write to the committee members and ask them to allow the bill to be heard.
Please share this letter on your website or Facebook page. We just want to word to get out to as many people in Virginia as possible. Our family would also appreciate any help you can provide with advocacy.
Sincerely, The Family of Trooper Andrew Fox
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