Gavin’s Law (AB 582) is named in honor of Central Valley educator Gavin Gladding who was killed in September 2018 by a driver who hid from law enforcement for weeks before being caught. The driver, who was believed to have been drinking just prior to the accident, was caught and sentenced to three years in prison in November 2018. Gavin’s family learned that he was released on probation in December 2019 after spending only one year in prison. AB 582 increases the maximum prison sentence for hit-and-run drivers who kill someone.
Under California law, the maximum punishment for a fatal hit-and-run accident is only four years behind bars. DUI drivers get several more years behind bars if caught, however, those who leave the scene of an accident and sober up before arrest can avoid additional felony DUI charges completely.