Kassandra’s mom: Put drunk drivers behind bars for 10 years
Posted May 17, 2011 4:10 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
SURREY (NEWS1130) – The family of Kassandra Kaulius is demanding harsher penalties for people who drink and drive and cause a crash or death.
The 22-year-old from Surrey was killed after her car was rammed by a suspected impaired driver at 64th Avenue and 152nd Street in early May. The van driver has been suspended from driving for a year as she awaits a court date.
Kassandra’s mother, Markita wants anyone convicted of impaired driving causing death to be handed a minimum 10 years in prison.
“Are these penalties harsh? Absolutely. That’s what we need to see in Canada, not only in BC,” she argues. “Too many people, too many families are having to deal with this amount of pain.”
Kassandra was on her way home after finishing up a game with her fastpitch team when she was struck.
“What we were left to bring home was her purse covered in her blood and her jersey,” explains Markita, choking back tears. “I have her jersey here. But I have been asked by the family not to show it, because it’s too painful to see it. I wanted you to see how bad it was.”
Kassandra’s father, Victor wept and clutched his daughter’s urn, saying it was devastating to have to close down her bank accounts and credit cards.
Laurel Middelaer, whose daughter Alexa was killed by an impaired driver exactly three years ago, agrees impaired driving penalties need a minimum sentence.
“The laws are there. There is adequate provision in the laws to address this issue and bring about change. Change needs to come in the application of the law,” states Middelaer.
