GASTON COUNTY, N.C. — Devastated Gaston County parents, whose children died in a street racing crash, want tougher penalties for street racers and reckless drivers. They’re partnering with state leaders to make it happen. 

Santiago Lagunas and Brandi Birrittier have partnered with Gaston County District Attorney Travis Page and State Rep. John Torbett to propose “Liam’s Law” in the North Carolina General Assembly.

The legislation would create a felony offense for reckless driving that results in serious bodily injury or death and a misdemeanor for reckless driving that causes serious injury.

“They really want to discourage folks from engaging in street racing,” Page said. “I think that’s what Liam’s Law does. It increases the punishment that folks might get for street racing, especially if someone is killed or injured.”

The proposed legislation was written in memory of Liam Lagunas, a 6-year-old boy who was killed in June 2021. Lagunas and his father, Santiago, were on their way home from getting ice cream when their car was hit head-on by a car that was racing another car in Gaston County.

The impact killed Liam Lagunas. 

“I remember holding him in my hands and asking him to please wake up,” Santiago Lagunas said. “I screamed at him that I wanted him to wake up, but he never did.”

Donnie Cobb and Grace Eaves were convicted for the crash that took Liam Lagunas’ life. Neither has been released from prison. 

If the legislation is adopted, Lagunas’ parents are hopeful it can save a life so other families do not have to endure the pain they feel every day.

“Liam’s life had purpose,” Birrittier said. “Whatever we can do through our pain to help somebody else is our main goal.”

Liam’s Law still needs to be voted on in the General Assembly. It would go into effect in December if it becomes law.