Written by Bill Barajas of KPRC 2 Houston covered the successful passage of the Lisa Torry Smith Act through the Texas legislature. Their report recalls Lisa’s tragic death, after she and her son were struck by an SUV in a crosswalk in Missouri City. KPRC quotes Lisa sister, Gina Torry, who said:
“If we can help to prevent this from happening to another mother who simply wants to walk her child to school then this honors my sister’s life.”
Gina led the family’s effort to move the Lisa Torry Smith Act through the Texas legislature.
Lisa’s mother Elaine told KPRC:
“We vowed that we were not going to let her death be in vain.”
The report also quotes For Bend County District Attorney Brian Middleton, who helped craft the legislation:
“If you cause bodily Injury in a cross walkthrough criminal negligence then you can be found guilty of a class A misdemeanor. If it causes death then there’s a higher punishment, a felony punishment.””If you cause bodily Injury in a cross walkthrough criminal negligence then you can be found guilty of a class A misdemeanor. If it causes death then there’s a higher punishment, a felony punishment.”
State Sen. Joan Huffman, who represents District 17, and was the lead sponsor in the Texas Senate, released the following statement:
“As legislators, we strive to make our communities safer. When I learned of the tragic incident that resulted in the loss of Lisa Torry Smith’s life, and the lack of punishment that followed, I knew we had to act. SB 1055 passed the House today, which means the bill is in the final stretch of being approved by the Governor and signed into law.
“Even though the work is not quite finished, I am optimistic that her legacy shall live on through this legislation, and that similar tragedies can be prevented in our communities. I am so grateful to have the support of both my Senate and House colleagues through this process, and it has been an honor to work with those of you that knew and loved Lisa to preserve her memory.”