GASTON COUNTY, N.C. -- Laura's Law is named for Laura Fortenberry, the Gaston County 17-year-old who was killed by a repeat drunk driver. The tragedy inspired her mother and a local state representative to take action.
Since her daughter's death last summer, Michelle Armstrong has fought long and hard. She was thrilled in June when Laura's Law was signed.
"If I could save one life, I've done my job. Her life was not in vain," said Armstrong.
It was the result of her teaming up with a local representative for stiffer sentences for repeat drunk drivers.
"This was a young lady with a full life ahead of her doing nothing wrong," said North Carolina State Rep. Time Moore.
Representative Moore worked with Armstrong to create and pass Laura's Law, and he says first and foremost it will keep two and three time repeat offenders behind bars longer.
"You actually would be given a sentence say of 24 months but only serve eight. There's truth in the sentencing now. When the defendant gets sentenced to 36 months in prison, they'll actually have to serve those three years," said Moore.
Also, it requires those convicted of DWI to wear ankle monitors for at least four months, which is up from just 60 days. Moore says that could have possibly prevented Laura's death.
"During the period he was subject to the monitoring device, he didn't re-offend. There were no problems, but the time he came off that device shortly after is unfortunately when the tragedy occurred," added Moore.
The law also increases fines for repeat offenders to up to $10,000. Moore says this law became a reality thanks to Armstrong using her loss to prevent other families from one.
“I didn't want to do all this, but I hear Laura in the back of my head telling me you have to save somebody else and that's what kept me going,” Armstrong added.
Representative Moore says the costs of the law will be paid for by increased DWI fines and court costs for DWI offenders. The man who killed Fortenberry is in jail for the next 2 decades.
