Parents of Sharon Girl Killed by Driver with Suspended License Fight for Tougher Punishments

Image Credit: WHDH, 7-News

SHARON, MA - A Sharon couple who lost their daughter to a driver with a suspended license is now fighting for tougher penalties for the crime.

Marc and Ivie Cremer, whose daughter Haley was killed in 2014 when she was struck by an SUV on Hampton Road, were on Beacon Hill Tuesday to testify before the Legislature’s Joint Judiciary Committee in support of a measure that would allow judges to impose tougher prison sentences for people who drive with a suspended license.

Sentences would range from six months to 15 years for anyone convicted of injuring or killing someone while driving with a suspended license, according to the Boston Globe. The proposed legislation would only affect those convicted in a criminal court.

In July 2014, Haley Cremer was jogging when a vehicle near the intersection of Hampton and Dogwoods Road struck her and caused her to travel over 85 feet though the air. The driver, Jeffrey Bickoff, recently had his license suspended.

Bickoff was found guilty of vehicular manslaughter by negligent operation and reckless assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. He was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in jail and three years of probation.

Since her death, the Cremers have advocated for tougher laws. They previously worked with State Rep. Lou Kafka to change state law to require the Registry of Motor Vehicles to notify municipal police departments when their residents have had their licenses suspended or revoked.

District Attorney Michael Morrisey said the proposal has support from about 30 lawmakers, with no one speaking in opposition to the proposal during Tuesday's hearing.