A proposal recently passed by the Missouri General Assembly would make it a felony to flee a law enforcement officer in a vehicle.The measure called "Valentine's Law" is named after St. Louis County Detective Antonio Valentine, who was killed after a suspect fleeing police crashed into him head-on in December 2021."Whenever you have a high-speed chase, it's extremely dangerous not only for the police officer who's pursuing the suspect but also the public at large," said State Senator Tony Luetkemeyer, a sponsor of Valentine's Law.The measure would make it a class D felony for anyone fleeing a law enforcement officer, punishable by a minimum of a year in prison without the possibility of probation, parole, or early release. If that high-speed chase results in injuries, a convicted suspect could spend a maximum of fifteen years in prison.According to Independence Police, Joe W. Williams of Raytown fled from an officer Saturday afternoon after being pulled over for a minor traffic violation.A high-speed chase ensued, ending with Williams crashing into a tree in the back of a strip mall near 31st and Olive in Kansas City, about ten miles from where the traffic stop occurred.According to Kansas City Police, Williams struck two vehicles before crashing into the tree.Two people in one of those vehicles suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Williams didn't survive the crash."The intent behind the law is to create additional deterrent for people who would flee law enforcement and put the public at risk with a high-speed chase," Luetkemeyer saidUnder the proposal, a suspect convicted of killing someone else from a high-speed chase would face a maximum of life in prison. "When we start to see increases in dangerous criminal activity, it's important for the legislature to step in to make sure the laws are adequately protecting the public, and that's really what Valentine's Law is focused on doing," Luetkemeyer said.Valentine's Law is part of a larger bill Governor Mike Parson will review. Other provisions of that bill include Blair's Law, which would make celebratory gunfire illegal.Another measure called Max's Law would make it a felony to kill a canine law enforcement officer.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. —
A proposal recently passed by the Missouri General Assembly would make it a felony to flee a law enforcement officer in a vehicle.
The measure called "Valentine's Law" is named after St. Louis County Detective Antonio Valentine, who was killed after a suspect fleeing police crashed into him head-on in December 2021.
Advertisem*nt
"Whenever you have a high-speed chase, it's extremely dangerous not only for the police officer who's pursuing the suspect but also the public at large," said State Senator Tony Luetkemeyer, a sponsor of Valentine's Law.
The measure would make it a class D felony for anyone fleeing a law enforcement officer, punishable by a minimum of a year in prison without the possibility of probation, parole, or early release.
If that high-speed chase results in injuries, a convicted suspect could spend a maximum of fifteen years in prison.
According to Independence Police, Joe W. Williams of Raytown fled from an officer Saturday afternoon after being pulled over for a minor traffic violation.
A high-speed chase ensued, ending with Williams crashing into a tree in the back of a strip mall near 31st and Olive in Kansas City, about ten miles from where the traffic stop occurred.
Residents of Kansas City neighborhood angry after fatal crash following high-speed chase
According to Kansas City Police, Williams struck two vehicles before crashing into the tree.
Two people in one of those vehicles suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Williams didn't survive the crash.
"The intent behind the law is to create additional deterrent for people who would flee law enforcement and put the public at risk with a high-speed chase," Luetkemeyer said
Under the proposal, a suspect convicted of killing someone else from a high-speed chase would face a maximum of life in prison.
"When we start to see increases in dangerous criminal activity, it's important for the legislature to step in to make sure the laws are adequately protecting the public, and that's really what Valentine's Law is focused on doing," Luetkemeyer said.
Valentine's Law is part of a larger bill Governor Mike Parson will review. Other provisions of that bill include Blair's Law, which would make celebratory gunfire illegal.
Another measure called Max's Law would make it a felony to kill a canine law enforcement officer.
