LOWELL, N.C. -- This morning Laura's Law was signed giving harsher punishments to those convicted of DWI.
Laura Fortenberry, 17, of Gaston County was driving to babysit family in July 2010 when she was hit head-on by a man who police say was drunk. He had been convicted of driving while intoxicated three times before.
Police charged Howard Pasour with second degree murder and DWI in Fortenberry's death.
After her death, Fortenberry's family pleaded with legislators to strengthen North Carolina's drunk driving laws.
Earlier this year Representative Tim Moore of Cleveland County introduced new legislation calling it Laura's Law, which increases jail time for repeat offenders anywhere from 12-36 months. After their release, offenders would be required to wear ankle bracelets for at least four months. Currently those charged with drunk driving only have to wear them for 60 days.
The bill also increases court costs for offenders.
Fortenberry's mother Michelle Armstrong says this law is just one more way to hopefully prevent another family from going through what's she's had to experience.
"I promised her when I found out she was dead that I won't stop fighting to stop drunk drivers," Armstrong said.
Laura's Law was signed at 10 a.m. in Raleigh.
