DENVER (KDVR) — The household of a 10-year-old boy killed by a distracted driver whereas using his bike desires to see reform to how persons are held accountable for texting and driving.
Amy Weiss was sentenced on Friday to serve one yr in jail. Oliver Stratton’s household mentioned they’re grateful she’ll be put behind bars however don’t consider it’s for lengthy sufficient.
“We love Oliver, and we miss him every single day,” mentioned Rod Stratton, Oliver’s father.
An adventurous boy, his dad and mom mentioned, they usually want he was nonetheless with them.
“He was simple to be round. He was sensible, he was actually foolish,” mentioned Clarissa Stratton, Oliver’s mom. “I want that there had been so many extra variations of my baby that I had the chance to satisfy.”
On Friday, Weiss was given a 365-day jail sentence for careless driving inflicting loss of life and a 364-day sentence for tampering with proof, each to be served concurrently. The information didn’t really feel nearly as good because the Strattons hoped.
“I used to be stunned on the quantity of overwhelm and disappointment that simply remained,” mentioned Clarissa.
Weiss was texting and driving when she hit Oliver, and the Strattons don’t assume a yr in jail suits the crime.
“It’s not justice as a result of the legal guidelines in Colorado usually are not simply,” mentioned Clarissa.
In Colorado, careless driving, even that leading to loss of life, is a category one site visitors misdemeanor. Weiss’s one-year jail sentence is the utmost punishment.
In distinction, a DUI leading to loss of life is a felony and may end up in 4 to 12 years in jail.
“Texting is the brand new drunk driving, proper? It’s six instances as harmful, in accordance with the nationwide transportation security administration,” mentioned Rod.
The Strattons mentioned that’s how texting and driving must be handled.
“The fact is that the legal guidelines don’t mirror the worth of a life,” mentioned Clarissa.
They hope that by way of their son’s loss of life, new payments will go to carry distracted drivers extra accountable sooner or later.
“It was not an accident,” mentioned Clarissa. “It was utterly preventable had the motive force made totally different decisions.”
The Strattons began a charity in Oliver’s title, Oliver’s Bike Parade, to assist elevate group consciousness and improve security for youngsters and others sharing the roadways.
