Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

West Bank Town Becomes ‘Big Prison’ as Israel Fences It In

1 day ago

Trump Says He’s Willing to Let Migrant Farm Laborers Stay in US

1 day ago

US Electric Vehicle Tax Breaks Will Expire on Sept. 30

2 days ago

Eyeing Arctic Dominance, Trump Bill Earmarks $8.6 Billion for US Coast Guard Icebreakers

2 days ago

Trump’s Sweeping Tax-Cut and Spending Bill Wins Congressional Approval

2 days ago

Americans Celebrate Their Independence With Record-Breaking Travel Numbers

2 days ago

US Supreme Court to Decide Legality of Transgender School Sports Bans

2 days ago

Nvidia Set to Become the World’s Most Valuable Company in History

2 days ago

Poll: 41% in US ‘Extremely Proud’ to Be American, Near Historic Low

2 days ago
Gladding's Powerful Testimony Changes Minds in Assembly
David Taub Website photo 2024
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 6 years ago on
March 19, 2019

Share

Gavin’s Law was headed for failure in the Democratically-controlled Assembly Public Safety Committee on Tuesday.

The law, authored by Assemblyman Jim Patterson (R-Fresno), would increase penalties for hit-and-run drivers who flee the scene. Patterson named AB 582 after Gavin Gladding, the Fort Washington Elementary School vice principal who died last September after being hit by a car while jogging on Friant Road.

Official portrait of Assemblyman Reginald Jones-Sawyer

“I’ve been on this committee for seven years. And, Mrs. Susan Gladding, you are the first witness that ever come before this committee that basically turned the committee through your compassionate, emotional testimony.” — Assembly Public Safety Committee Chair Reginald Jones-Sawyer (D-Los Angeles)

Then, Gavin’s widow, Susan, spoke. She brought the committee to tears talking about the loss of her husband to a suspected drunk driver.

Chairman Reginald Jones-Sawyer (D-Los Angeles) put it clearly by the end of the 40-minute hearing.

“I’ve been on this committee for seven years. And, Mrs. Susan Gladding, you are the first witness that ever come before this committee that basically turned the committee through your compassionate, emotional testimony,” Jones-Sawyer said.

“You’ve gotten some committee members into tears. … You’ve been the most powerful advocate for your cause, speaker that we ever had. And, I will tell you, you were very successful. Because I’m pretty certain, Mr. Patterson, we were at no to undecided for the majority of folks here.”

Technically, the bill failed to get out of committee. However, it did not receive any no votes. Patterson and the committee agreed to changes and to bring back the bill. Bottom line: It will likely receive the stamp of approval.

Susan Gladding’s Testimony

After Patterson introduced the bill, he turned the microphone over to Susan Gladding.

“My husband, best friend and father of my two children, Gavin Gladding, was stolen from us by a reckless driver,” she said, choking back tears.

She continued to describe the details of the case — how a driver killed her husband, fled, and tried to cover it up. She thanked a witness at the scene who called an ambulance and provided a description of the vehicle.

Official Assembly portrait of Assemblyman Jim Patterson

“There is a perverse loophole which encourages, actually rewards drivers to flee the scene of an accident, not to stay and help. By fleeing they can purposely avoid additional charges for hit-and-run and driving under the influence.” — Assemblyman Jim Patterson (R-Fresno) 

Rogelio Alvarez Maravilla was sentenced to three years in prison after pleading no contest in the accident that killed Gladding. However, there was not enough evidence to show that he was drinking.

“September 16 and the weeks since have been a living nightmare for my family, who are all present today supporting AB 582. It’s been six months since that terrible day and we are still trying to make sense of the tragedy. But more importantly, the light sentence that the driver received, and that signals that it sends to your constituents …,” she said.

Gladding asked the committee to close the loophole that gives suspected DUI drivers a reason to leave the scene. The widow then talked about her husband and his love of education and public service.

“Gavin was extraordinary, passionate, funny and giving person — the kind of person you want to be around. He had 500 people that will claim him as his best friend. And, he was loved and respected by the thousands of students that he taught and mentored over the course of his 14 years in education.

Speakers Following Gladding Overcome With Emotion

Gladding’s testimony hit a chord with both supporters and opponents. Many of the scheduled speakers spoke briefly, struggling to regain their composure.

Randy Perry, with the law enforcement advocacy group PORAC, was left speechless and in tears. All he could muster was that his group supported the bill.

Margo George, with the California Public Defenders Association, expressed worry that doubling the sentence for a hit-and-run would increase incarceration, which she said would be ineffective.

Kathy Sher, of the ACLU Northern California, told the committee that the bill could tie the judges’ hands in issuing a sentence that might not be appropriate.

Sixteen family and friends of the Gladding family spoke in support of the bill. No other opponents spoke.

Democrats Offer Sympathy, Concern

Patterson faced an uphill battle trying to convince the committee, 75% of them Democrats, to support a bill that would increase penalties on crime.

Official Assembly photo of Buffy Wicks

“I’m a mother of a 2-year old. My husband and my family are everything to me. I can only imagine.” — Assemblywoman Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland)

“There is a perverse loophole which encourages, actually rewards drivers to flee the scene of an accident, not to stay and help. By fleeing they can purposely avoid additional charges for hit-and-run and driving under the influence,” Patterson told the committee in his opening statement.

Assemblyman Bill Quirk (D-Hayward) expressed shock that such a loophole existed. He wished for more time to sort it out.

Other members, Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Orinda) and Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Los Angeles) were concerned that increasing the minimum penalty from two years to four years would be too much — especially if they were not driving under the influence.

However, neither wanted to let the discrepancy of a lesser penalty for a DUI driver fleeing the scene go. They said they were willing to support an amendment that would allow more discretion in sentencing.

Assemblywoman Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland) could barely speak. “I’m a mother of a 2-year old. My husband and my family are everything to me. I can only imagine,” she told Gladding.

Jones-Sawyer noted there are other reasons to flee a scene, including immigration status. He offered a compromise. The committee would not pass the bill today. But, he vowed to reconsider a revised bill to address concerns about sentencing, while still closing the loophole.

“I guarantee you, it will be by acclamation,” Jones-Sawyer said.

“I know where your hearts are and you demonstrated that today. I am very grateful and I know the family is,” Patterson responded.

The two Republicans on the committee, Tyler Diep (R-Westminster) and Tom Lackey (R-Palmdale) voted in favor of the bill. Jones-Sawyer, Quirk, Bauer-Kahan, Kamlager-Dove, and Wicks abstained. Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles) was not present during the vote.

Watch: Susan Gladding’s Full Testimony

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

How Trump’s ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ Will Make China Great Again

DON'T MISS

What’s Caitlin Clark Worth to the WNBA? A Lot More Than Her $78,066 Salary.

DON'T MISS

Trump to Sign Tax-Cut and Spending Bill in July 4 Ceremony

DON'T MISS

Madre Fire Spurs Evacuations Across 3 Counties, Grows to More Than 70,000 Acres

DON'T MISS

Clovis, Sanger, Madera, and Bass Lake Will Light the Sky With Fireworks Shows Tonight

DON'T MISS

Oil Dips Ahead of Expected OPEC+ Output Increase

DON'T MISS

613 Killed at Gaza Aid Distribution Sites, Near Humanitarian Covoys, Says UN

DON'T MISS

Fresno County Authorities Investigating Suspicious Death of Transient Man

DON'T MISS

West Bank Town Becomes ‘Big Prison’ as Israel Fences It In

DON'T MISS

Israeli Military Kills 20 in Gaza as Trump Awaits Hamas Reply to Truce Proposal

UP NEXT

Fresno Crash Involving Unlicensed Teen Driver Sends Woman to Hospital

UP NEXT

Madre Fire Burns More Than 52,000 Acres in San Luis Obispo County

UP NEXT

Valadao, Costa Spar on What Passage of Trump’s Bill Means for Medicaid Recipients

UP NEXT

After Record Democratic Speech, House Republicans Begin Final Vote on Trump Tax-Cut Bill

UP NEXT

Trump Impounds Billions in Education Funding. For Fresno Unified, It’s $7.1 Million

UP NEXT

Americans Celebrate Their Independence With Record-Breaking Travel Numbers

UP NEXT

San Luis Obispo’s Madre Fire Grows to 35,000 Acres, More Evacuations Ordered

UP NEXT

Poll: 41% in US ‘Extremely Proud’ to Be American, Near Historic Low

UP NEXT

Wired Wednesday: Why Is State Lawmaker Taking Aim at Rooftop Solar?

UP NEXT

Poorest Americans Dealt Biggest Blow Under Senate Republican Tax Package

David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

Madre Fire Spurs Evacuations Across 3 Counties, Grows to More Than 70,000 Acres

1 day ago

Clovis, Sanger, Madera, and Bass Lake Will Light the Sky With Fireworks Shows Tonight

1 day ago

Oil Dips Ahead of Expected OPEC+ Output Increase

1 day ago

613 Killed at Gaza Aid Distribution Sites, Near Humanitarian Covoys, Says UN

1 day ago

Fresno County Authorities Investigating Suspicious Death of Transient Man

1 day ago

West Bank Town Becomes ‘Big Prison’ as Israel Fences It In

1 day ago

Israeli Military Kills 20 in Gaza as Trump Awaits Hamas Reply to Truce Proposal

1 day ago

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Rachelle Maria Blanco

1 day ago

Russia Pounds Kyiv With Largest Drone Attack, Hours After Trump-Putin Call

1 day ago

Boxer Chavez Jr Expected to Be Deported to Mexico to Serve Sentence, Mexican President Says

1 day ago

How Trump’s ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ Will Make China Great Again

Can you hear it — that loud roar coming from the East? It’s the sound of 1.4 billion Chinese laughing at us. Thomas L. Friedman The New Yo...

10 hours ago

Solar Farm in Riesel, Texas
10 hours ago

How Trump’s ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ Will Make China Great Again

Caitlin Clark Signs T-Shirt
10 hours ago

What’s Caitlin Clark Worth to the WNBA? A Lot More Than Her $78,066 Salary.

President Donald Trump speaks during a press conference in the Roosevelt Room at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 12, 2025. (Reuters File)
1 day ago

Trump to Sign Tax-Cut and Spending Bill in July 4 Ceremony

The Madre Fire burning near New Cuyama has scorched 70,801 acres as of Friday, July 4, 2025, afternoon, making it California’s largest wildfire of the year, with only 10% containment and multiple evacuation zones in place. (CalFire)
1 day ago

Madre Fire Spurs Evacuations Across 3 Counties, Grows to More Than 70,000 Acres

1 day ago

Clovis, Sanger, Madera, and Bass Lake Will Light the Sky With Fireworks Shows Tonight

A pumpjack operates at the Vermilion Energy site in Trigueres, France, June 14, 2024. (Reuters File)
1 day ago

Oil Dips Ahead of Expected OPEC+ Output Increase

Palestinians gather to collect what remains of relief supplies from the distribution center of the U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, June 5, 2025. (Reuters File)
1 day ago

613 Killed at Gaza Aid Distribution Sites, Near Humanitarian Covoys, Says UN

Billy Wayne Sinisgalli, a 54-year-old transient known locally as Wayne, was found dead along a rural Fresno road Wednesday in what authorities are investigating as a suspicious death. (Fresno County SO)
1 day ago

Fresno County Authorities Investigating Suspicious Death of Transient Man

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend