Oklahoma Senate passes bill giving legal protections to drivers escaping riots; local group condemn

KFOR News 4

by: Hicham Raache Apr 14, 2021

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – The Oklahoma State Senate passed legislation that gives legal protections to drivers escaping riots, but a local group says the bill is dangerous and stands in the way of Oklahomans exercising their right to protest. House Bill 1674 was written by Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore, and Sen. Rob Standridge, R-Norman. It was approved by the Senate on Wednesday. 65-year-old woman dies after suffering medical incident at Oklahoma County Jail The bill was written to give protection against civil and criminal liability to drivers who “may unintentionally cause injury or death while fleeing a riot and imposes penalties for those who unlawfully obstruct streets or highways, blocking vehicles,” a State Senate news release states. “We actually saw this happen here in Oklahoma last year when a Tulsa family was surrounded by rioters. Through no fault of their own, they were caught in a dangerous situation, and fearing for their lives, they were attempting to get away,” Standridge said. “The prosecutor declined to file charges, but that may not always be the case. This bill will protect innocent people trapped by a rioting mob.” The bill protects a driver who “unintentionally causes injury or death” while fleeing a riot.

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