Missouri’s Kansas City
The Missouri General Assembly recently approved a plan that would make it illegal to escape from a law enforcement official in a car.
The law known as “Valentine’s Law” is named for St. Louis County Detective Antonio Valentine, who died in December 2021 after being struck head-on by a defendant who was evading the police.
Valentine’s Law sponsor and state senator Tony Luetkemeyer stated, “Whenever you have a high-speed chase, it’s extremely dangerous not only for the police officer who’s chasing the suspect but also the public at large.”
Anyone escaping a law enforcement officer would be guilty of a class D felony under the proposed legislation, which carries a minimum sentence of one year in jail with no chance of probation, parole, or early release.
A guilty defendant faces up to fifteen years in jail if the high-speed chase causes injuries.
Joe W. Williams of Raytown was pulled over for a minor traffic infraction on Saturday afternoon, and according to Independence Police, he ran from the officer.
Following a high-speed pursuit, Williams crashed into a tree behind a strip mall close to 31st and Olive in Kansas City, approximately 10 miles away from the scene of the traffic stop.
Before colliding with the tree, Williams reportedly ran into two cars, according to Kansas City Police.
In one of those cars, two persons had non-life-threatening injuries. Williams perished in the collision.
“The intent behind the law is to create additional deterrent for people who would flee law enforcement and put the public at risk with a high-speed chase,” said Luetkemeyer.
A defendant found guilty of killing someone else during a high-speed pursuit may spend up to life in prison, according to the plan.
“When we start to see increases in dangerous criminal activity, it’s important for the legislature to step in to make sure the laws are adequately protecting the public, and that’s really what Valentine’s Law is focused on doing,” Luetkemeyer stated.
Governor Mike Parson will examine a broader package that includes Valentine’s Law. Blair’s Law, another section of that measure, would outlaw celebratory shooting.
A different proposal known as Max’s Law would make the murder of a canine law enforcement officer a criminal offense.
