Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Gavin's Law, Punishing Hit-and-Run Drivers, Advances in Assembly
David Website Replacement
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 5 years ago on
January 14, 2020

Share

A law to toughen criminal penalties on hit-and-run drivers inspired by a Fresno tragedy passed a major legislative hurdle Tuesday.


Listen to this article:
 


Jim Patterson
“(This bill closes) a loophole and sort of change this perverse incentive to hit, run, kill and leave.” — Assemblyman Jim Patterson
The Assembly Public Safety Committee approved “Gavin’s Law” 5-0 with three members not present.
“(This bill closes) a loophole and sort of change this perverse incentive to hit, run, kill and leave,” Assemblyman Jim Patterson (R-Fresno) told the committee.

Driver Who Killed Gladding Already Out of Prison

Last year, Patterson won over a skeptical committee on enhancing the penalties for hit-and-run drivers.
Patterson proposed Gavin’s Law — AB 582 — in response to the 2018 death of Clovis Unified educator Gavin Gladding. He was killed while jogging on Friant Road, by a 19-year-old driver who fled the scene.
Upset about the lack of consequences for a driver not stopping when causing catastrophic injuries, Patterson pushed for the law.
Rogelio Alvarez Maravilla, who drove the truck that killed Gladding, received a three-year prison sentence. But the state released him a week ago after serving just one year.

Testimony From Gladding’s Wife Swayed Committee Chair

The committee’s chairman, Assemblyman Reginald Jones-Sawyer (D-Los Angeles), was inclined to spike the bill until he heard the testimony of Gladding’s widow, Susan Gladding.
“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 last year.
Jones-Sawyer, at the time, agreed to carry over the bill for consideration in 2020.

Portrait of the late Gavin Gladding
— Hit-and-run victim Gavin Gladding

Revised Bill

A year later, with some revisions, Patterson presented the bill again.
The new version of the bill reduced the penalties that Patterson initially sought. A hit-and-run driver causing serious injuries is subject to a minimum of two years and a maximum of four years in prison. That’s down from four-to-six years in last year’s version.
Similarly, causing death in a hit-and-run accident will bring three-to-six years in prison. Patterson previously had proposed six-to-eight years.
Gladding’s family was present at the hearing but did not speak.
Assemblyman Bill Quirk (D-Hayward) said he supported the bill because “if you have been drinking, it makes sense to run away rather than stay. We can’t allow that. This isn’t quite as much of a deterrent as you wanted, but I think it will help.”
The bill next heads to the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

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

US-China Tariff Talks to Continue Sunday, an Official Tells The Associated Press

DON'T MISS

Has America Given Up on Children’s Learning?

DON'T MISS

Could Trump Team Suspend Habeas Corpus to Expedite Deportations?

DON'T MISS

Two Teens Charged in Shooting Death of Caleb Quick

DON'T MISS

India and Pakistan Agree to a Ceasefire After Their Worst Military Escalation in Decades

DON'T MISS

Ukraine and Allies Urge Putin to Commit to a 30-Day Ceasefire or Face New Sanctions

DON'T MISS

Soviet-Era Spacecraft Plunges to Earth After 53 Years Stuck in Orbit

DON'T MISS

Tax the Rich? Slash Spending? Republicans Wrestle With Economic Priorities in the Trump Era

DON'T MISS

Israeli Airstrikes Kill 23 in Gaza as Outcry Over Aid Blockade Grows

DON'T MISS

Experts Call Kennedy’s Plan to find Autism’s Cause Unrealistic

UP NEXT

India and Pakistan Agree to a Ceasefire After Their Worst Military Escalation in Decades

UP NEXT

Ukraine and Allies Urge Putin to Commit to a 30-Day Ceasefire or Face New Sanctions

UP NEXT

Israeli Airstrikes Kill 23 in Gaza as Outcry Over Aid Blockade Grows

UP NEXT

Experts Call Kennedy’s Plan to find Autism’s Cause Unrealistic

UP NEXT

Summer Movie Guide 2025: Here’s What’s Coming to Theaters and Streaming From May to August

UP NEXT

Got An Idea for a Valley Documentary? CMAC’s Big Tell Contest Seeks Applicants

UP NEXT

Fresno Police Officer Arrested on Sexual Battery Charges

UP NEXT

First At-Home Test Kit for Cervical Cancer Approved by the FDA, Company Says

UP NEXT

New Fresno Judge Baloian Uses Experience on Both Sides of Legal Table

UP NEXT

Leo XIV’s Service to Poor Propelled Him to Papacy, Cardinals Say

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

Two Teens Charged in Shooting Death of Caleb Quick

17 hours ago

India and Pakistan Agree to a Ceasefire After Their Worst Military Escalation in Decades

17 hours ago

Ukraine and Allies Urge Putin to Commit to a 30-Day Ceasefire or Face New Sanctions

18 hours ago

Soviet-Era Spacecraft Plunges to Earth After 53 Years Stuck in Orbit

18 hours ago

Tax the Rich? Slash Spending? Republicans Wrestle With Economic Priorities in the Trump Era

18 hours ago

Israeli Airstrikes Kill 23 in Gaza as Outcry Over Aid Blockade Grows

18 hours ago

Experts Call Kennedy’s Plan to find Autism’s Cause Unrealistic

18 hours ago

Trump’s Trip to Saudi Arabia Raises the Prospect of US Nuclear Cooperation With the Kingdom

18 hours ago

Oh Ohtani! Dodgers Star Hits 3-Run Homer in Late Rally Victory Over Diamondbacks

18 hours ago

Tariff Talks Begin Between US and Chinese Officials in Geneva

18 hours ago

US-China Tariff Talks to Continue Sunday, an Official Tells The Associated Press

GENEVA — Sensitive talks between U.S. and Chinese delegations over tariffs that threaten to upend the global economy ended after a day of pr...

11 hours ago

https://www.communitymedical.org/thecause?utm_source=Misfit+Digital&utm_medium=GVWire+Banner+Ads&utm_campaign=Branding+2025&utm_content=thecause
11 hours ago

US-China Tariff Talks to Continue Sunday, an Official Tells The Associated Press

14 hours ago

Has America Given Up on Children’s Learning?

16 hours ago

Could Trump Team Suspend Habeas Corpus to Expedite Deportations?

The Clovis Police Department identified two suspects they have arrested in connection with the murder of Caleb Quick, 18, at a Saturday, May 10, 2025, news conference. (GV Wire Composite)
17 hours ago

Two Teens Charged in Shooting Death of Caleb Quick

17 hours ago

India and Pakistan Agree to a Ceasefire After Their Worst Military Escalation in Decades

18 hours ago

Ukraine and Allies Urge Putin to Commit to a 30-Day Ceasefire or Face New Sanctions

18 hours ago

Soviet-Era Spacecraft Plunges to Earth After 53 Years Stuck in Orbit

18 hours ago

Tax the Rich? Slash Spending? Republicans Wrestle With Economic Priorities in the Trump Era

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

Search

Send this to a friend