Bill increases penalties in traffic fatalities involving emergency responders

State Rep. Will Tallman (R-Adams/York) is teaming with Rep. Harry Readshaw (D-Allegheny) to sponsor legislation that enhances penalties for those involved in accidents where an emergency responder is killed or injured. Pennsylvania’s Vehicle Code currently lists homicide by vehicle as a third-degree felony, punishable by up to seven years in prison and/or a fine of up to $15,000.

“Our legislation allows Pennsylvania’s courts to add up to five additional years to the current penalty for homicide by vehicle when the victim is an emergency responder,” Tallman said. “It essentially treats these incidents in the same manner that we deal with fatalities occurring in a construction zone.”

The bill also creates a section in the code entitled Aggravated Assault by Vehicle, a third-degree felony under which the court will have the discretion to add up to an additional two years in prison to the sentence of anyone who injures an emergency responder or worker in a construction zone.

“Representative Readshaw and I authored the legislation at the request of the family of Sgt. Michael Weigand, a mutual acquaintance and member of the Latimore Township Police Department who was killed in the line of duty last year in Tyrone Township, Adams County,” added Tallman. “We agree with Sgt. Weigand’s relatives, who feel the penalty for offenders such as those who took the life of this police officer needs to be strengthened.”

The legislation is titled the Sgt. Michael Weigand Act.

Rep. Will Tallman

193rd District

Pennsylvania House of Representatives

(717) 633-1721

1-877-480-9525

Member Site:  RepWillTallman.com

Contact:  Scott B. Little

Slittle@pahousegop.com

(717) 260-6137

Caucus Site:  PAHouseGOP.com