On June 29, 2024, in Santa Barbara, California, a life was senselessly taken. The 39 year old victim Juan Lopez  was the father of my children and a partner for nearly 22 years. The perpetrator, known for his drinking problem and coming from a privileged background, managed to evade the law, he has done nothing but only think of himself and has yet to show any remorse or take any accountability for what he did. While I do believe if he was sober and killed Juan I do feel that he would have stayed at the scene however he left , claimed he hit a deer in an area there are none that even appear in the area where he killed Juan and in fact  tried to hide damage to his vehicle by parking in a way to where he hoped no one would notice the front end damage  and went about his life for 5 days while knowing that he killed someone to me that is disgusting and only shows me that his actions after the initial accident were in malice intent and he has no empathy or regard for human life . The current Californian laws have a stipulation that a defendant must be caught within 3 hours for DUI tests to be valid and contribute to pressing charges. This individual hid for 5 days, thereby escaping this possibility of additional charges and has only shown us that he is trying to get the least amount of punishment as possible and is trying to offer 6 months in jail (in Santa Barbara that is only 2 months and 3 weeks ) plus probation and continues to lie about his actions. The only way we can prove he was drunk is via phone and credit card records as well as camera footage if possible since it is alleged that he was drinking in a local private club that night .

This is not an isolated case, and it spotlights a significant flaw in our justice system. Many hit-and-run culprits avoid tougher penalties, including those for intoxicated driving, by hiding until alcohol or drug evidence has left their system. Even when they are eventually captured, most receive probation, with a maximum sentence of 4-5 years. This is hardly justice for the families left in grief, torn apart by an abrupt loss caused by someone's reckless actions.

The loopholes in these laws are more than just technicalities – they serve as an escape route for those responsible, undermining justice for hit-and-run victims and their families. We need to review and revise these laws, introducing stricter deadlines and penalties for hit and runs, particularly those resulting in serious injury or death, irrespective of the time it takes to apprehend the offenders.

Join us to push for this change, ensuring that no more families have to fight tooth and nail for justice and that those responsible for such heinous acts face due punishment. It's time California's hit-and-run laws reflected the seriousness of these crimes. Please sign this petition, your support is pivotal to make a difference.