COLUMBIA (AP) - Gov. Nikki Haley held a ceremony on Thursday for the family of a young girl whose death at the hands of a drunk driver was the inspiration for tougher laws against repeat offenders.
Two weeks ago Haley signed "Emma's Law," which requires anyone with a first conviction for DUI with a blood-alcohol content of 0.15 or greater to get an ignition interlock device for six months. The device tests a driver's breath and won't allow the car to start if it detects a level of 0.02 or greater.
It is named in honor of Emma Longstreet, a 6-year-old girl who died after her family's minivan was crushed by a drunken driver as they drove to church on New Year's Day in 2012. The impaired driver's blood-alcohol level was nearly three times the legal limit. He is now serving 10 years in prison.
"Mr. and Mrs. Longstreet put great love and commitment toward honoring Emma and preventing other families from enduring the pain they have had to experience," Haley said in a statement after signing the bill. "I am proud to sign this bill and hope this brings peace to the Longstreet family while protecting citizens in South Carolina."
