A BILL INCREASING PENALTIES FOR ONE PARTICULAR CRIME HAS BEEN INTRODUCED IN THE NEW MEXICO LEGISLATURE. THE PROPOSAL FROM ALBUQUERQUE REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE BILL REHM WOULD CRACK DOWN ON PEOPLE WHO DRIVE STOLEN VEHICLES RECKLESSLY AND KILL SOMEONE. THE MEASURE WOULD ALLOW FOR A FIRST DEGREE MURDER CHARGE IN SUCH CASES.
REHM SAYS THERE CURRENTLY IS NO STATE LAW SPECIFICALLY TARGETING VEHICULAR HOMICIDE IN A STOLEN VEHICLE. AN ALBUQUERQUE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT AND HER MOTHER RECENTLY DIED WHEN THEIR CAR WAS SMASHED INTO BY TWO SUSPECTS DRIVING A STOLEN VAN.
