Liam Lagunas was killed in a crash caused by street racing in June 2021. Liam’s Law aims to increase penalties for street racing in North Carolina.
GASTON COUNTY, N.C. โ North Carolina lawmakers from Gaston County announced a new bill Friday that will increase penalties for reckless driving or street racing that cause serious injury or death.ย
House Bill 246, known as “Liam’s Law,” is named in honor of 6-year-old Liam Lagunas, who was killed in a crash caused by street racing in June 2021. District Attorney Travis Page and Rep. John Torbett will hold a news conference at 1 p.m. Friday to formally introduce the legislation.ย
The bill proposes creating a new Class I felony for reckless driving causing serious bodily injury. Currently, reckless driving causing serious injury is only a misdemeanor. It would also create harsher penalties for street racing, including a Class B2 felony for speed competitions causing death. HB246 would also increase license revocation periods for convictions, including a permanent ban for drivers convicted of hit-and-run causing death.ย
Two people were convicted in connection with the crash. The suspects, Donnie Cobb and Grace Eaves, were sentenced after pleading guilty. Cobb pleaded guilty to five charges, including second-degree murder, and was sentenced to serve between 22-28 years in prison, while Eaves was sentenced to spend 41-71 months on four charges, including involuntary manslaughter.ย
ย The crash happened around 9:30 p.m. on June 26, 2021, on U.S. 74 near Sparrow Spring Road. Investigators said Cobb and Eaves were driving around 100 mph when their cars collided, forcing Cobb across the median into oncoming traffic. His car crashed into one being driven by Santiago Lagunas. Liam, who was properly buckled in his seat, died hours later at the hospital.ย
“As parents ourselves, this case was very dear to myself and my assistant district attorney, Stephanie Hamlin,” Page said after Cobb’s sentencing. ย “We have worked as hard as we can to bring justice for this family, and we will continue to work with Liamโs family to further his legacy.”
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