Dram Shop Law Needed to Deter Drunk Drivers: Leggett

ROCKVILLE, MD — In the wake of the death of Montgomery County Police Officer Noah Leotta after he was hit by a suspected drunk driver, the County Executive says Maryland needs the Dram Shop Law to discourage over-serving drinkers.

Leotta, 24, died Dec. 10 after he was hit by a car Dec. 3 during a traffic stop on Rockville Pike as part of a holiday task force fighting drunk driving. His funeral was held Tuesday at Covenant Life Church in Gaithersburg.

»Would a law holding liquor providers responsible for injuries caused by a drunk driver or guest be effective in Montgomery County? Tell us in comments.

During a virtual town hall meeting Tuesday, Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett said he believes Maryland should have the Dram Shop Law, reports Montgomery Community Media.

“The tragic and preventable death of Officer Noah Leotta is weighing heavily on all our hearts,” Leggett said. “… Maryland does not have a ‘Dram Shop’ law which holds businesses that sell alcoholic drinks or a host who serves liquor to a drinker who is obviously intoxicated or close to it, liable to anyone injured by the drunken patron or guest. It is often hard to prove that the liquor bought or served was the specific cause of an accident, such as an automobile crash while driving home, since there is always an intervening cause, namely, the drunk. And I believe Maryland should have the Dram Shop law.”

SEE ALSO: Police Chief Denounces ‘Drunk Driver,’ State’s Weak Laws

Officer’s Funeral: Procession Images, Video

An emotional Montgomery County Police Chief Thomas Manger last week denounced the drunk-driving suspect in Leotta’s death, as well as Maryland’s weak laws that do little to punish offenders.

At a news conference Dec. 10, Manger said the death of the promising officers “was a preventable, unnecessary loss.”

Suspect Luis Gustavo Reluzco, 47, of Olney, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs after his car reportedly hit Leotta. Reluzco was arrested twice before for drunk driving and a previous conviction for drug possession.

“(Leotta) was killed by a man who decided to smoke some dope, drink for four hours and get behind the wheel of a car,” Manger said. “This officer was killed serving the public, trying to prevent the exact crime that killed him.”

Leotta is the 36th person to die in a crash this year in the county; all the victims are missed by loved ones, the chief said. In one-third of those fatalities, the drivers were drunk at the time of the crash.

Maryland has some of the country’s weakest penalties for drunk drivers, Manger said, which must be addressed.

Whatever the outcome of the case, “there is no justice for these families, there is no justice for these victims,” the chief said.

»Photo of funeral procession for Officer Noah Leotta, courtesy of Montgomery County Police