The Senate Committee on Corrections and Criminal Law heard Sen. Koch’s SB 186 on enhancing penalties for some traffic crimes, like Operating While Intoxicated crimes and Leaving the Scene of the Accident, and consecutive sentencing for certain OWI crimes.
The bill was amended in hearing to create a new crime of OWI resulting in catastrophic injury. This will carry the same penalty as OWI causing death. A representative from the Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council, victims, and and two county prosecutors testified in support of the bill. A representative from the Indiana Public Defenders Council testified in opposition of the bill. The bill amended bill passed 7-0.
Read the bill at http://www.iga.in.gov/legislative/2019/bills/senate/186.