Families of Chicago DUI Crash Victims Push for New Law

July 30, 2010 - The families of two men who died in an alcohol-related car accident are supporting a proposed law that would change how police officers deal with drivers involved in a serious car accident. According to a report at ABC 7 Chicago, the families showed their support Wednesday evening at a rally for the proposed state law. The law would require that, in the event of a serious car accident, police officers test the blood-alcohol content of every driver involved, rather than just those they suspect of drunk driving.

The families support the law because their children, a 21-year-old man and 22-year-old man, were killed by an off-duty police officer who was charged with driving under the influence. According to a previous report at CBS2 Chicago, the police officer was observed on a security video drinking at a local bar just before the accident. However, deputies who responded to the scene did not subject the off-duty police officer to a breathalyzer or other blood-alcohol test. As a result, a judge dismissed the charges against him.

The victims' families hope this new proposed law would prevent a similar incident from happening to another family.