The law lowers the number of license suspensions a driver can have before being charged with a felony.
It took 16 years but Dawn Riendeau’s fight to ensure other parents don’t go through the pain she went through is complete.
As of today, Angelica’s Law is officially in effect.
Riendeau called it a bittersweet day.
“I have a whole gambit of emotions going through me you know, I’m very happy over the fact that there’s something now in place but I still don’t feel 100% satisfied because I still feel it’s very weak,” she said.
The law, named after Holbrook teenager Angelica Nappi, lowers the number of prior license suspensions a driver can have before they’re charged with first-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. Prior law set that number at 10 but now it’s five.
On Feb. 19, 2008, Nappi, 14, was killed when a driver with seven license suspensions ran a red light at the intersection of County Route 101 and Woodside Avenue in Medford. The driver slammed into the car Nappi was in, killing her and injuring the other passengers in the car.
At the time under the law, the driver was charged with a misdemeanor and only served four months in jail.
A felony conviction would have carried 1-to-4 years in state prison.
New York State Senator Kevin Thomas helped carry the bill over the finish line last year.
“We got all the support that we needed in both houses to pass it and it just shows you know, persistence and just pushing forward got this done,” he said. “All thanks to Dawn.”
Supporters say this change will help keep high-risk drivers off the road by targeting those who repeatedly violate traffic laws.
CREDIT: NEWS 12 Jonathan Gordon 
