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‘Beougher Bill’ heads to Gov. Crist’s desk
Revised law would make it a misdemeanor to lend vehicle to a person with suspended license
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Funeral for Daniel Beougher
Army staff Sgt. Daniel Beougher was a three-tour, War on Terror veteran and was killed in a hit-and-run, head-on collision in North Fort Myers on Dec. 8 while driving home on leave to visit friends and family. His funeral was held Saturday, Dec. 15.
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Lauren Beougher makes first public appearance
Lauren Beougher speaks out for the first time about the death of her husband, Danny Beougher, who was killed last December in a drunken driving accident, in front of the Fort Myers Vietnam Memorial Monday, April 28.
Video
The family of Daniel Beougher mourns his loss during a press conference on Monday, Dec. 10. Watch »
Video
Lauren Beougher shares thoughts on the loss of her husband, Army Sgt. Daniel Beougher, who lost his life in a Dec. 8 hit-and-run accident. Watch »
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Following months of phone calls and letters to various public officials, charter fishing Capt. John “Giddyup” Bunch has nearly realized his goal of making car owners who lend their vehicles to unlicensed drivers more accountable.
Following the death of an Iraq war veteran who died in a hit-and-run crash in North Fort Myers, Bunch was determined to strengthen current state legislation, making it a misdemeanor to lend a vehicle to a person with a suspended driver license. He approached Sen. Burt Saunders, R-Naples, asking that a one-year license suspension, with the possibility of jail time, be added to the law.
The bill passed the Florida Senate earlier this month, and it passed in the House on Wednesday. Gov. Charlie Crist is expected to sign the bill.
The “Beougher Bill” is named for U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Daniel Beougher, who died Dec. 8. Beougher was killed on Hancock Bridge Parkway when a truck, that police say was driven by Ashley East, crossed into his lane of traffic, striking his Jeep and killing him. Beougher’s wife, Lauren, was critically injured.
Authorities said East had a .089 blood alcohol content and was unlicensed when the crash occurred. She reportedly fled the scene on foot, leaving a female passenger behind in the truck that she is alleged to have borrowed. East was eventually arrested in New Jersey and extradited to Lee County, where she faces numerous charges including DUI manslaughter.
Saunders and Rep. Gary Aubuchon, R-Cape Coral, are credited with bringing the proposed amendment to Tallahassee in hopes of seeing it passed into Florida law.
Saunders has said Bunch was instrumental in bringing the proposed amendment to the attention of lawmakers and politicians.
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