CHARLESTON, W.Va.
For the second straight year, a unanimous House of Delegates has threatened prison terms for
drivers who kill or injure someone while failing to halt for a stopped school bus.
With Wednesday's vote, the Senate is again asked to make such crimes a felony. The Senate Education Committee ignored last year's attempt.
A driver who causes injury would face up to three years in prison, or up to 10 if there's a death. The bill also increases fines and adds license suspensions for lesser offenses.
Lawmakers and family members have pressed for such penalties following the death of 6-year-old Haven Brooke McCarthy. She had just stepped off her Lincoln County school bus in December 2007 when a passing vehicle struck her. The driver pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor.
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