Bill Would Close Loophole in Wisconsin’s Hit and Run Law
By Emily Matesic
Published: April 6, 2015, 5:02 pm
Updated: April 6, 2015, 6:19 pm
State Representative Andre Jacque is hoping a proposed bill will close a loophole in the state’s hit and run law. The John Michael “Mingo” Kennedy Act, named after a Green Bay man killed in 2011, would require a driver to stop and investigate what they hit.
John Kennedy was only 20 years old when he was hit by a truck and killed along Velp Avenue in January of 2011. Snow had piled high on the sidewalk, forcing Kennedy to maneuver his wheelchair into the street. That’s where he was hit by Mark Sperber, who left the scene, later telling investigators he thought he hit a garbage can. Sperber was convicted and sentenced to ten years in prison, only to have his conviction overturned.
“When we went to trial we were very surprised that we actually had to prove that he knew he hit a person,” says John Kennedy’s mom, Colleen Kennedy.
After years of working with the Kennedy’s, State Representative Andre Jacque is introducing a bill that would not only take the burden off of prosecutors to prove drivers in hit and run crashes knew they’d hit someone, but it also requires drivers, if they hit something, to stop and investigate what they hit before leaving the scene.
Representative Jacque says, “I think it’s just basic decency to assist an individual who is struck and to take some accountability, responsibility.”
While the bill won’t bring the Kennedy’s son back, they’re pursuing the change in law to make sure others don’t have to deal with the pain they’re experienced.
Jeff Kennedy, John’s father says, “No parent should outlive their child and you just try to do all you can to make sure that they’re not forgotten and they leave their, they leave their mark.”
The Kennedys are encouraging people to call their state representatives to offer their support behind the bill.