Local News
State Senate Scheduled To Vote On 'Stephen Gates' Law Wednesday
Posted June 21, 2005 3:36 a.m. EDT
RALEIGH, N.C. — State senators are expected to vote Wednesday on
a bill
making it a serious crime for a driver and passenger to switch places after an accident.
The bill was inspired by the death of UNC sports radio reporter Stephen Gates who was killed in 2003 while changing a tire on Interstate 40.
Police say Emily Caveness hit Gates, then switched places with her passenger Rabah Samara, who drove away.
Caveness pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor and received community service. Samara was cleared of a more serious hit-and-run charge.
