Public Comments

Absolutely no reason why it shouldn’t get passed, dui causing death is murder is it should be treated the same

This law should be passed! I’ve lost quite a few friends to drinking and driving! They don’t ask for their life to be taken by someone who decided it would be great to be driving while intoxicated

It should be passed

The penalties for DUI resulting in death are too lenient and must be strengthened.

I support this bill

I believe that this bill should be used when sentencing Destiny Lester for the Death of Baylee Bower she did not ask for her life to be taken by Destiny. Destiny knew what she was risking when she got into that car by being under the influence.

Please pass this much needed law to help prevent drinking and driving in our state, and making those who choose to do so and harm others pay the maximum penalty.

The fact this isn’t a bill already is a problem! It needs to be done.

The law needs to change for the family's that have lost a loved one due to someone drinking and driving, doesnt bring the person back but will be Justice for them.

The amount of deaths and life changing injuries caused by driving under the influence is sickening. Until your loved ones are affected by such a saddening event, it’s hard to really imagine how terrible these uncalled for actions impacts families and lives. Everything is changed for innocent individuals in just a matter of seconds over something that can absolutely be avoided. Several innocent lives affected by these uncalled for decisions are taken years too soon. While others that are blessed enough to survive these circumstances, their lives are changed for the rest of their time here. No matter how much time goes by from the end result of these decisions such as holidays, everyday activities, futures and dreams, can and have been changed from these types of terrible decisions, never heal. We need to stand together and make these types of decisions avoidable for the future of innocent lives. Maximum punishment should be required for such life changing actions.

Please vote for Baylea's law. By now, everyone knows the consequences of getting behind the wheel impaired but it does not seem that most so not take it seriously enough. You would think the thought of taking a life would be enough but unfortunately it's not. Please pass this into law so that people see the punishment so severe that maybe that will make people take this more serious. Baylea was a wonderful young lady and I had the pleasure of watching her grow up. Her life was taken way too soon and the person responsible should face the maximum sentence, even though it will not bring her back. I pray this will pass in her honor. God Bless and guide you to make the right decision.

I agree to this bill

This should be the bare minimum

I believe that this bill should be passed because an innocent life was taken by someone’s poor decisions. With all the evidence presented there is no way that Destany was not under the influence that caused this tragedy.

I support this law. My thoughts and prayers are continually with Baylea’s family.

100% agree! Make people think about what drinking and driving can do and what consequences follow. Even than 30 years is not enough for murder and that's the max?  And that's exactly what it is, murder.

I am 100% for longer punishment for ending a life. Honestly, it should be longer. My family suffered a huge loss when we lost Baylea, and no parent should ever have to go through what Baylea’s mother and father are having to go through. Maybe a longer punishment will take a few more drunk drivers off the road, and maybe have a little more consideration for others.

I agree with the Bayle law

3-15 years for murder? Ask yourself if someone under the influence took the life of your child, spouse, mother, father, or anyone you love, would you feel justice was served if that murderer walked in three years? Maybe if the laws were more strict, it may make people think twice before getting behind the wheel under the influence.

As a mom of a girl wrestler I fully support this bill. Girls wrestling should be a sanctioned sport. Especially for Middle and High School female wrestlers. My daughter is six and wants to continue a sport she loves. Once they reach a certain age it’s hard and unfair to compete against males and some what inappropriate. Super excited for the future of girls wrestling in WV.

Should absolutely pass this law!

No law could replace taking the life of another but the sentencing should change an be strict enough to make someone stop and think

In hopes that this law will open the eyes of many people around the world, but specifically West Virginia, as a 23 year old citizen of WV and a young woman who knew Baylea personally, please pass this law. It has the potential to save many other people’s lives.

Dear Members of the West Virginia Legislature, I strongly support the passage of Baylea’s Law to honor Baylea’s life, which was tragically lost due to an impaired driver. Increasing the sentencing and fines for DUI causing death reflects the seriousness of these preventable tragedies and sends a clear message that impaired driving will not be tolerated. Stronger penalties promote accountability, encourage safer choices, and help protect our communities. I urge you to vote in favor of Baylea’s Law. Respectfully, Katlyn Jarrett

When I was 12 years old, my mother and sister were hit head on by a drunk driver while leaving a church parking lot. They were leaving my uncles wedding rehearsal. My dad and I had just  gotten home moments prior before receiving a frantic phone call from my soon-to-be aunt. We rushed to the scene where we found my mother’s entire car destroyed and the smell of smoke filled the air. Miraculously, they survived with minimal injuries. Shortly after emergency personnel arrived to the scene, we learned that the driver was completely inebriated when he crashed into my mother’s car. I can still feel the rage and anger that I felt during that moment. Tears were uncontrollably streaming down my face. Not from sadness, but from anger. This incident was neither his first DUI nor his last. In that moment, I realized how someone’s poor, selfish decision could have changed my life entirely. That moment of reflection isn’t afforded to everyone. It wasn’t afforded to Baylea’s family. Their life HAS changed entirely since this time last year. They are not the first ones to experience this grief, and they will not be the last. What happened to my family is one of several reasons that inspired me to go to law school. What happened to Baylea’s family is one of several reasons why I stay in law school. Increasing the penalty for DUI resulting in death is not a harsh sentence, but a just and necessary consequence for an individual who chooses to drive under the influence.

Absolutely this should be a law.  No one should get by with a few years sentence with killing an innocent person by driving DUI.

Pass Bayleas Law.

Holding people accountable for their actions is 100% necessary.

PASS Baylea’s law!

Please extend the punishment for this crime. 3-15 isn’t enough time to spend!

Please consider this new law to help keep the ones under the influence off the roads and protect our people.

Baylea was a part of our family for sometime. We are saddened by the loss of her due to a drunk driver and drugs. We hope to get this law passed in honor of Baylea Craig Bower. Love and prayers to her family and friends!💕🙏🏻 She is terribly missed.

3 years being the current minimum is sad, and does not represent the extent of the crime committed. These are actions chosen. Anyone who drinks alcohol knows the night will come to an end, but yet these people choose to risk the lives of the people around them. There are too many options in today’s world besides getting into the driver’s seat: uber, Lyft, call a friend, text a friend, etc. 3 years is not justice.

I hope this will change things.

This law needs passed for so many reasons. This could help save many lives.

I personally think this is an amazing bill that should 100% be passed. If someone can willingly get behind the wheel under the influence and that lead to the death of an individual then they should legally be held accountable for up to 30 years in prison…. The individual they caused death upon doesn’t even get the chance to live but the one who caused the incident gets slapped on the wrist with only 15 years tops right now and usually they never have to stay in there that long to begin with. It’s unfair.

I trust that our legislative system start to work and put this law in place!!!

There is no “fine, charge, or conviction” large enough for someone who knowingly gets behind the wheel while impaired. Risking the lives of other innocent people is unacceptable. A minimum of 3 years for a life taken is not justifiable. Praying this law is passed with ease.

Baylea was a friend to all. Never knew a stranger. She would’ve given the shirt off her back to anyone and always rooted for the underdog. This sweet girl was killed by a drunk driver on Easter morning while headed home to be with her family. She was only married for one month and hadn’t even gotten to start her life yet. If this bill were to be passed it could save many lives. Give this girl the justice she deserves and pass this bill to save others from the carelessness of drunk drivers.

I am 100% for this law .

Although I did not know Baylea personally , I have seen so many testimonies of the wonderful person she was. Such an amazing soul taken way too soon. I can only pray it is taken into consideration the sentencing being doubled or even a few years added to it because no amount of time could ever be enough for taking a life but it could save others if the punishment was more harsh. This woman could have grown up to be a doctor , a president or even birthed a child of her own that finds the cure to cancer but she will never get that chance now because of people choosing to drive impaired because they don’t fear the consequences that come along with it. May what happened to Baylea never be forgotten and help save and change the lives of others.

I think the punishment should be even more significant than presented here. This behavior is unacceptable. You cannot risk the lives of others for your selfish addictions.

I am sure this is not the only case that someone was not just drunk.. but absolutely plastered driving on cocaine and speeding not just 10 over but like 20+ over.. that goes beyond “accident”. I personally think there is a difference between accident and then reckless disregard for human life. I personally do not think that a DUI should have this nature should over have the punishment of 3-15 years because she had a reckless disregard for human life and that should be more treated along the lines of murder. At least give the courts the opportunity to decide to what severity the crime was and up the limit to a higher number of years. I could see a DUI not being extreme and then there is this case.. there is a difference . Let this start a standard that if you commit murder by driving drunk you don’t get out with a hand slap. Make people think twice and save lives… I should be spending holidays with my best friend and instead I can’t get into a car without being paranoid and it’s almost a year later. This trauma will run deep and I know I am not alone. Just think about it . Thank you.

I believe Baylea's life could have been so much more and she would’ve been phenomenal!! No time behind a cell can compare to the fact that a life was lost. Being a teen myself, I know better than to get behind a wheel drunk, let alone get drunk period!! Baylea deserves justice, Baylea's family and friends deserve justice, and I believe this bill passing will give the family the closure they deserve!!

What is just punishment for taking a life? There is no punishment that will ever be enough for the life of someone you love. The current punishment for taking a life by driving under the influence in WV is 3-15 years. Lawmakers, take a look at this bill and ask yourself what would you want the punishment to be if the life taken was your child? A daughter, son, mother, father? What if this was yours? Would 3 years be enough? There are no words to describe the pain of this loss. The punishment could never be enough to erase the pain but 3 years for a life is unbelievable!!! #justiceforbaylea (stated by Steve Lewis and I couldn’t agree more).

Absolutely. This would be wonderful.

I fully support this...actually think min sentence should be 15 yrs for dui causing death and fines should be x5.

What is just punishment for taking a life? There is no punishment that will ever be enough for the life of someone you love. The current punishment for taking a life by driving under the influence in WV is 3-15 years. Lawmakers, take a look at this bill and ask yourself what would you want the punishment to be if the life taken was your child? A daughter, son, mother, father? What if this was yours? Would 3 years be enough? There are no words to describe the pain of this loss. The punishment could never be enough to erase the pain but 3 years for a life is unbelievable!!! #justiceforbaylea

This is a much needed change to the current law. The lives have countless innocent people have been taken by people who chose to drive while impaired. Parents have lost children. Children have lost mothers and fathers. Baylea Craig was a beautiful soul taken from her family, friends, and  our community by the careless actions of an impaired driver. People cannot be replaced. The loss will be felt forever. Please consider taking this into account when voting yes to increase jail time and fines for impaired driving. Thank you, Amber Mooney

This bill absolutely needs passed! Too many precious lives are taken!

I lost my father at 15 years old due to a driver under the influence in Boone county. Unfortunately, the killer didn’t receive any punishment. I am now 33 years old and still struggle with the fact that there were no consequences.

I know personally about being a victim of a drunk driver. By the grace of God my family was spared.  Baylee’s family has gone through so much. Please take a stand for accountability. You owe it to the citizens of WV. You owe to Baylea and her family and friends.

I wholeheartedly support this! I have always said the fines and punishments were and are not stiff enough. The family of the victim has to suffer the rest of their lives but the person who committed the crime gets off with only 15 years! This is pure and simple pre meditated murder. You know when you drink and drive that there’s a possibility that you will wreck and kill someone. Maybe with the passing of this bill people will think twice about drinking and getting behind the wheel. I also believe the establishments that sell the alcohol to the person who causes a death should also be held accountable. This endless vicious cycle of drinking and driving has got to stop somewhere. Let it begin with Baylee’s Law  House Bill 4712.

The life of this beautiful young woman was taken way too soon. She had so much to live for, so much joy to give over the years. She was loved by so many. Her family is hurting and will miss out on her for the rest of their lives  Their pain will not end in 15 years People who make the decision drive intoxicated need to know they will get more than a slap on the wrist. They need to be held accountable. The law needs to change.

Drinking and driving is against the law. Taking someone’s life and only getting three to fifteen years is unacceptable. If you take a life, I strongly believe you deserve more than a slap on the wrist. Baylea passing, her mother and father lost their daughter, her brothers lost their  sister, her niece and nephew; they lost their aunt. This should not be taken so lightly.

If I drove intoxicated and caused a horrific accident I should be held accountable for my careless actions. I chose to drive my car despite my inability to drive.Whether it was intentional, premeditated, or just from being reckless… murder is murder. As a state we shouldn’t be giving these individuals the ability to go on living their lives to the fullest… because the victims will never get their lives back and their families/friends have to spend the rest of their lives reliving a heartbreak every gathering, holiday, or big milestone because their loved one was taken from them from someone else’s negligence.

This needs to be done to help with drunk driving

This is so needed in our society today. Saying a reckless mistake of dui can be just 3 years is insanity and wrong for the life lost. I pray this is passed.

I hope this passes!! Drunk driving is horrible!!

WV needs this, so many people are killed on our roads and thus could help prevent it!!

I feel that the sentence for DUI causing death in West Virginia should absolutely be increased as reflected by the proposed Baylea’s Law.  No amount of jail time will bring them back,  but losing your loved one should warrant the person who took their life being away for longer than three years.  Ask yourself how you would feel if you lost your daughter or sister and the individual who killed them by drunk and impaired driving sat at home for a year waiting for trial then only spent 3 short years in jail. People need to understand the true consequences of impaired driving.  It can result in the loss of your own life as well as another’s.  Please pass Baylea’s Law.

I support this bill.

In honor of Baylea, i support this law and those who drive and drink under the influence

WE NEED THIS BILL PASSED !!

I didn’t personally know this young lady but laws need to change first the better. The woman guilty if running head on into Baylee’s truck on that morning, needs to pay.  CHANGE THE LAWS……. Don’t let another family suffer a tragedy such as this

It’s obvious not enough is being done to make people more aware of they’re own personal actions.These actions they do, that cause so many people lifelong pain and suffering.A slap on the wrist and they’re back out amongst the general population while families & friends suffer tremendous loss.This law is a start in the right direction.

This law should be passed because it would impact the community in a positive way and help decrease the chance of someone getting killed by a drunk driver. Thank if it was YOUR family

A bill doubling the sentence for DUI causing death in West Virginia is long overdue, and I’m truly hoping lawmakers have the courage to pass it. Too many families have been shattered by preventable tragedies, and the current penalties don’t come close to reflecting the weight of a life lost. Strengthening the consequences isn’t about revenge, it’s about drawing a hard line that says impaired driving will not be tolerated, not in our communities and not on our roads. This bill gives West Virginia a chance to protect future families from the heartbreak so many have already endured, and I’m standing behind it, hoping it becomes a law.

I believe this should be the new law we lost my husband grandmother Donna Kay Campbell due to a man that was on drugs and drinking an killed her here in Boone county WV this law should be enforced in every county an state! Theses people getting behind the wheel impaired are taking our family members life’s and it’s not fair! Just imagine if it was your family members that was taken due to someone that chose to get behind the wheel impaired in some sort of way! PLEASE PASS THIS LAW!! Our family’s that lost someone due to impaired drivers deserve the justice for our lost family members!

I totally support doubling the time and fine for ANYONE who drives drunk or impaired and kills someone!  Should’ve been passed years ago!  Maybe these people who carelessly drive drunk and or impaired will think twice before getting behind the wheel if they know they’ll get more than a smack on the hand!!!  And our families won’t have to DIE!!!

I support Baylea’s law!

I feel this law would be important not just for the victims of drunk driving deaths. But the families.

I more than support this law change!!!!

baylea was my best friend. is my best friend. the loss of her has impacted a whole community. she always brought a smile to everyone’s face even when she was having a bad day. when destany took her away from us she blew out a candle. baylea brought light to so many places. she filled so many hearts with love. i truly believe destany deserves more than 3 years. she made the decision (we have been taught since kindergarten not to drink and drive or do drugs) to end a life. destany lester murdered a daughter, murdered a sister, murdered a friend. regardless of if she planned on doing it or not the decisions she made that day effected not just one life but hundreds. why should she only get 3-15 years when we get a life time of grief, a lifetime of sorrow, a life time of heart drops when we are reminded of what happened. 3-15 years is a punch in the gut to the victim and the victims family/ friends. there are so many crimes in west virginia without the outcome being death that get much more than 3-15 years. at the end of the day we are all taught not to drink and drive from a very young age. dui causing death is murder. no matter how you put it, or what happened. dui causing death deserves more than 3-15 years.

3 years is just too short a time for killing someone!   Please pass Baylea’s Law!!

I am for this law

Please Pass!!!!!!!

This young lady had a whole life in front of her with family and friends that cherished their times with her and no longer have that time. Senseless and shameful of the system to bring her killer to justice.

Please pass Bill HB1234 for Baylee's law

I support Baylea’s law! What if it was your loved one who list their life?

We support and want to see this law PASSED!!!

Baylea’s Law needs to be passed because the loss of a life due to DUI is not an “accident” it’s a preventable choice. Stronger penalties send a clear message that driving under the influence and taking someone’s life will be met with real accountability. Families who lose a loved one deserve justice, and harsher consequences may help deter others from making the same reckless decision. If even one life can be saved by increasing penalties, then Baylea’s Law is worth passing. My heart breaks for our friends for what they are going through with losing their beautiful daughter. No family should have to endure this kind of loss. 💙

This bill should pass! This family has been through so much!

I agree with this bill

It should 10 years minimum!

The death of Baylea Bower has deeply affected my family as I am 1st cousins with her husband. I also have a relative on the other side of my family who has been arrested for multiple DUI’s and keeps reoffending. People who drink and drive are knowingly putting many lives at risk for their decisions. Unfortunately too many people are tragically hurt or killed due to the negligence of others. This isn’t something that’s an accident, the definition of an accident is “an unfortunate incident that happens unexpectedly and unintentionally, typically resulting in damage or injury”. People who drink and drive KNOW they are impaired and still choose to drive. They know what can happen. People are let off the hook or given way less than the punishment that is deserved.

A human life does not equate a 3 year minimum victims loss their entire lives do to dumb decisions!

This bill should pass!! We need this in law!! Thank you!

I support this bill.

Please consider the bill

3 to 15 is not a long enough punishment for making poor decisions and taking another's life.

Please concider Bayleas bill the sentence right now is not nearly long enough family has a life long sentence while the offender walks free to live their life in ni time at all

Please pass Baylees bill

Please pass this bill