Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle are asking Governor Tony Evers to sign legislation that increases the penalty for those when it comes to reckless driving.
It's in light of innocent victims like Erin Mogensen and Amari Smith, both of whom were innocent drivers killed as a result of a police chase.
"Just 132 days ago, my precious daughter Erin Mogensen and my unborn grandchild were killed, or as Representative Donovan more accurately describes it, murdered by a serial felon initially fleeing Wauwatosa Police Officers," Mark Hagen, Mogensen's dad, said.
Tears swelled in Hagen's eyes Tuesday morning as he begged Governor Evers to sign Senate Bill 514 into law.
It's a bill that would up the punishment for criminals who flee the police and in turn injure, and in some cases kill, innocent drivers.
"Erin was the light of my life and so many lives and spread so much joy to everybody in her world," Hagen added.
Mogensen was killed on November 2nd by a driver who was running from police near 100th and Capitol Drive.
Hagen was joined by other family members, lawmakers, supporters, and members of the group 'Enough is Enough - a Legacy for Erin' at the Greenfield Police Department. All of them advocate for folks who commit these types of crimes to have mandatory jail time.
"Specifically, it addresses fleeing and it increases the penalties for fleeing an officer," State Senator Dan Knodl (R-Germantown) said.
The bill would increase each felony charge and time spent behind bars. It would also push the penalty for fleeing an officer that involves great bodily harm and, or death, to a 10-25 year sentence.
"What makes you guys think that this will deter criminals from continuing to flee police," Reporter Jenna Rae asked.
"Well, I think, most certainly, whenever there are consequences attached to a behavior that does impact behavior. When the word gets out that enough is indeed enough, and we're going to hold these individuals appropriately accountable, they will get that message," State Representative Bob Donovan (R-Greenfield) responded.
Donovan, Knodl, and Senator Van Wanggaard said judges need to have more strict guidelines in place when it comes to sentencing, and they said this bill would do that.
"Even though Erin was completely innocent, she was handed a metaphorical death sentence by Milwaukee County judges who ignored public safety by failing to hold this criminal accountable," Hager explained.
A spokesperson for the governor's office says Evers plans to sign SB514 into law sometime next week.
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