Howard Pasour, the habitual drunk driver who killed local teen, Laura Fortenberry in July, will spend the next 21 years in prison.
Pasour, who had 3 prior convictions for DWI, and multiple prior charges for drug possession, plead guilty today to second degree murder, habitual DWI, and 2 counts of serious injury by vehicle.
In response to this tragic event, the North Carolina House Judiciary Committee has approved House Bill 49, known as “Laura’s Law.” It provides for longer prison sentences for repeat DWI offenders, and allows judges to require the convicted drunk driver to wear an alcohol monitoring bracelet.
But Laura’s Law is still too lenient on drunk drivers. Our car accident attorneys have reported several times, that other states, such as New York, have taken a far more aggressive approach towards drunk drivers. As we have reported, New York State requires an ignition interlock device be put in place for all DWI offenders, including first offenses.
North Carolina should also require that repeat offenders have their vehicle impounded. According to the Department of Corrections, 83% of the 1,200 people in prison for DWI, are repeat offenders.Police are doing their job. DWI checkpoints routinely result in numerous arrests. It is up to our representatives to strengthen our laws.