On the dreadful morning of July 18, 2023, Devin Michael Sovinsky, a bright young man with a promising future, had his life cut tragically short. He was in a vehicle with an alleged friend, Cory Sipos, when their vehicle veered off the road and hit a tree. While Devin remained sober, he bore the dire consequences of his companion's reckless behavior, losing his life due to a severe neck injury caused by the impact.

This tragic incident brings forth an urgent issue plaguing West Virginia, a state that saw an average of 102 drunk-driving fatalities per year from 2009-2018, about 27% of all total traffic deaths (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022). It's time we fought for stricter regulations and harsher penalties for driving under the influence, particularly when it results in the tragic loss of life, as in Devin’s case.

We seek to alter the mandatory minimum sentencing for DUI causing death in West Virginia. The current law seems unjust and lenient, providing relatively minor punishments for offenders. Devin's tragedy illuminates an urgent need for a review and potential amendment of these legal guidelines. This change is not only about justice for Devin but also about deterring potential motorists from drunk driving, consequently reducing similar horrific incidents in the future.

This urgent plea echoes the sorrow and determination of every family who has suffered the loss of a loved one due to a DUI accident. Now is the time to make a difference in honor of Devin and countless others. Join us in seeking an amendment to the mandatory minimum sentencing for DUI causing death in West Virginia. Please sign this petition.