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Myrick, Surrounded By Victims' Families, Announces Plan To Re-Launch Scott Gardner Act

POSTED: 4:56 pm EST March 5, 2007
UPDATED: 6:22 pm EST March 5, 2007

Images of crushed metal and happy family members lost continue to stick in the mind of N.C. Rep. Sue Myrick.

So on Monday, flanked by the families of some victims lost to crashes involving illegal immigrants accused of driving drunk, Myrick said she's ready to push for a second time for a federal law to crack down.

"It would make (driving while impaired) grounds for mandatory detention and deportation of illegal aliens who are convicted of DWI," Myrick, R-Charlotte, said.

Myrick will re-introduce the Scott Gardner Act on Tuesday. It's named for the Gaston County man killed when an illegal immigrant driving drunk crashed into his family's car during July 2005.

When that driver, Ramiro Gallegos, pled guilty it was his sixth DWI conviction.

Gardner's mother, Emily Moose, hopes this time the Scott Gardner Act can become law.

"If we're going to save anybody from this horror, it needs to be enacted now. It needs to be made law now," she said.

Myrick's bill has the support of some Latino advocates in Charlotte, but it's those like Michael Lawrence, whose niece was killed by an illegal immigrant convicted of driving drunk, who are offering the loudest support.

"We need to cut this right now. We need to stop this. If you're caught -- an illegal alien driving drunk -- you need to go home," Lawrence said.

Just last month Leeanna Newman and her unborn child were killed in a crash her family believes could have been prevented.

"I can't help but wonder if this piece of legislation had been passed a year ago if my little cousin and her second daughter would still be with us," said Jennifer Raper, Newman's cousin.

Myrick said this Scott Gardner Act will be the same bill that passed the House of Representatives last year, but not the Senate. This time, with immigration an even bigger issue, she believes the bill will find the support it needs to become law.

  • RELATED STORY: Illegal Immigrant Found Guilty Of Murder In Deadly 2005 Crash
  • RELATED STORY: Illegal Immigrant Charged In Landis Crash Pleads Not Guilty


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