Scott Gardner's mother said lawmakers can soon expect to hear a lot from her...
crimes, illegal aliens, laws, security, republican, democrat

AMES ALEXANDER
Charlotte Observer
7/2/2005

Emily Moose, whose son died in a July 16 wreck in Brunswick County, said she will push for tougher DWI and immigration laws to protect drivers from repeat offenders, such as the one accused of killing her son.

On Monday, a grand jury indicted Ramiro Gallegos on charges including murder and habitual DWI.

Gallegos, an illegal Mexican immigrant, had five prior DWI charges, but N.C. authorities were not aware of two out-of-state convictions until told by an Observer reporter last week.

Had the system worked, Moose said, it's unlikely Gallegos would've been on the road -- allegedly drunk again when his truck plowed into a beach-bound station wagon. The wreck killed Gardner, a Gaston County teacher, and left his wife, Tina, hospitalized; their two children weren't injured.

Driving records aren't collected in a nationwide database, so it can be difficult for law enforcement and court officials to track drivers who rack up violations in numerous states.

Moose, who lives in York, S.C., thinks that needs to change.

"The system failed my son and my family," she said. "... If there had been a national database, this man would never have been on the road that day. He would have been in jail or deported.

"... If you think about it, in God's eyes, (Gallegos) was let down, too. He had a problem that was neglected."

The American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators is lobbying for a system that would make it easier for authorities to see a suspect's full driving history. The group wants each state to hold comprehensive national driving records on the people it licenses. So far, it's unclear whether the federal government will provide all the money needed for such a system.

U.S. Rep. Sue Myrick, of Charlotte, says officers should have easy access to comprehensive national driving records.

"Driving records are public records," she said.

Gallegos wasn't licensed in North Carolina. And N.C. authorities who prosecuted him on DWI charges in 2003 and 2004 didn't check his record in Michigan and South Carolina, where he was convicted on previous DWI charges. They say they're so overwhelmed with cases that phoning other states for driver histories isn't a priority.

"We have to make sure the revolving door involving high-risk drivers is closed," said Misty Moyse, a spokeswoman for the national office of Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

Myrick also wants to revamp immigration laws and procedures to ensure that when illegal immigrants commit crimes, they are punished and deported. That doesn't always happen. Police often don't ask about immigration status. When they do report an illegal immigrant's arrest, federal authorities don't always respond, particularly if the crime involves a misdemeanor, such as DWI.

Moose, who has talked to a staffer in Myrick's office, said she and her family will contact other lawmakers to lobby for reforms.

"My son's not going to die in vain," she said.

"I wish I had made changes far before this happened. It takes a tragedy to open people's eyes. And mine have really been opened."

Tina Gardner's Condition Improves

As of Monday night, Tina Gardner's medical condition had improved to "serious," according to New Hanover Regional Medical Center. During her previous two weeks at the hospital, she was listed in critical condition.

The Gardner family has set up a trust to help pay for educating the Gardners' children -- Jackson, 5, and Avery, 2. Checks can be sent to the "Gardner Trust Fund," care of the First Baptist Church, 300 S. Main St., Mount Holly, NC 28120.

The family is also creating a Web site -- www.gardnerfamilycircle.us -- where people can share memories of Scott Gardner and get information about Tina Gardner's medical condition.

http://www.alipac.us/article-588-thread-1-0.html