Families of Phoenix-area hit-and-run victims are demanding justice

PHOENIX (AZFamily) – More than two dozen people took part in a peaceful protest in downtown Phoenix on Friday to demand harsher penalties for drivers who kill someone.

Everyone who participated in the protest and demonstration has something in common. They all have a family member or friend who died in a collision.

They are all concerned that those accused of killing their loved ones will get off with light sentences.

Victoria Bizzle’s 13-year-old son, Elias, was killed in April when he was run over while crossing a street in Glendale while riding his bicycle.

“He took my son’s life,” Bizzle said. “It’s not fair at all if I have to live with this melancholy inside me for the rest of my life. I do not agree with a probationary period.”

Tim Hadrich’s son David was killed on his motorcycle by a hit-and-run driver last year.

“It’s just a second blow,” Hadrich said. “The pain is enormous, you know. That the person who killed your loved one only gets probation; it’s just sickening.”

All of the victims’ loved ones who showed up Friday wanted to send a message to the prosecutor. They are not happy with the plea deals being offered in these cases.

Caserina Hawkins said there is no way the driver who killed her beloved husband Martin can avoid jail time.

“There is no justice for them to be able to kill someone and walk away,” Hawkins said. “We have to pick up the pieces of our lives. I died having to take him off life support.”

Phoenix attorney Clint Dunaway said that in many of these hit-and-run cases, prosecutors’ hands are tied because Arizona laws limit the types of sentences that can be imposed.

“They are limited to the laws, and therefore it is up to the law to change because until the law is changed, a prosecutor cannot go beyond the mandatory maximum,” he said.

Family members have now made it their mission to convince state lawmakers to mandate prison sentences for any motorist who ends a person’s life.

“A misdemeanor and a slap on the wrist is not enough justice,” Hawkins said.

Do you see a spelling or grammatical error in our story? Click here to report it.

Do you have a photo or video of a current news item? To steer it here for us with a short description.

Copyright 2024 KTVK/KPHO. All rights reserved.