Family whose son was killed seeks enhanced penalties for those who kill or injure others after running red light

DES MOINES – The Iowa Senate on Monday approved a bill enhancing penalties for drivers who fail to obey traffic signals and end up killing or seriously injuring someone.

“Jermiah's Law” was spurred by an Osage family mourning the loss of their son, Jermiah Dosser.

He was killed days before his 25th birthday in 2007 in a Polk County traffic accident after another driver failed to stop at a traffic light and struck him on his motorcycle.

Mother Jody Dosser was on hand to watch the Senate debate on the measure, which passed on a 47-0 vote. Senators gave her a standing ovation after the bill was approved.

She and family and friends of Jermiah urged lawmakers to put tougher penalties in place when they learned the driver who hit Jermiah could only be charged with a simple misdemeanor and fined.

Jody Dosser hopes their situation will help others.

“There are other families out there that we hope … won't go through this,” Dosser said choking back tears. “But hopefully now there's something there that will help them.”

Jermiah Dosser, who lived in Altoona, was a Waldorf College graduate and worked at EMC Insurance.

“He was well-known; he was well liked – still is,” Dosser said.

Jody Dosser stressed the help of friends and family working to get the law passed by writing to lawmakers.

Sen. Amanda Ragan, D-Mason City, praised Jody Dosser's work on the measure.

“She's done an amazing job of trying to change this,” Ragan said.

Lawmakers said the bill could serve as a deterrence and something that could educate drivers.

“This bill can hopefully save lives,” said Sen. Staci Appel, D-Ackworth.

Currently, failing to obey a traffic signal or control device can bring a fine of $35.

The bill would increase the penalties for failing to obey a traffic control device or signal in some instances. If a death occurs, the driver could face an additional fine of $1,000 and loss of license for up to 180 days. In cases where a serious injury occurs, a violator could see and additional fine of $500 or license suspension of 90 days.

With passage in the Senate, the measure now moves to the House for consideration.