Tennessee bill in honor of Dustin Ledford targets repeat DUI offenders

CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) — A bill recently introduced would have stricter penalties for repeat DUI offenders in Tennessee.

On the side of APD 40, there is a memorial for Dustin Ledford.

“It is very hard everyday. We have just learned how to survive without him,” said Kim Ledford, Dustin’s mother.

Ledford was 24 years old when he was killed in July of 2010 by a wrong way driver. Investigators found that the driver was under the influence of alcohol and meth at the time of the crash. She was sentenced to ten years behind bars.

Kim Ledford spoke out on her behalf at a parole hearing and she was released early. This past fall she was arrest for another DUI.

“It broke my heart because I feel like she and I together could have made such a difference with her story and with my story,” Ledford said.

Senator Todd Gardenhire recently introduced a bill that would have stricter penalties for repeat DUI offenders. If passed, it would be called Dustin Ledford’s Law.

“The episode up in Cleveland was horrible. This young man’s life was taken. This is to honor him and bring a light on the people that use drugs and alcohol mixture,” Sen. Gardenhire said.

A person who is found guilty of DUI for the second time would have to spend a minimum of 11 months and 29 days in jail.

“Hopefully, we can make it so strong that people would just, even if they can think in a rational manner while they are on meth and alcohol, which is debatable. That they will decide not to do it before they start drinking and using drugs and then driving,” Sen. Gardenhire said.

“I think we need to be harder on DUI offenders. I think we’ve made it too easy for them to reoffend,” Ledford said.

Dustin’s mother is hoping this can prevent further tragedies.

“I don’t want another family to go through what we’ve gone through,” she said.

On Tuesday, the bill was referred to the Senate Finance Ways and Means Committee. If it becomes law, it would go into effect on July 1.