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Virginia Legal News

Ashley’s Law Changes How Emergency Personnel Respond in Virginia


Posted on Aug 21, 2011

On February 12, 2008, Virginia Police Officer Amanda Perry was responding to a call about an assault in progress. She was driving through the intersection of Richmond Highway and Boswell Avenue in Alexandria with the cruiser lights flashing, but no siren.

Officer Perry drove through the intersection against a red light while, at the same time, 33-year-old kindergarten assistant teacher, Ashley McIntosh, was pulling out of the Mount Vernon Shopping Plaza on a green light. The officer crashed into McIntosh's Toyota Corolla. McIntosh was thrown from the car and, sadly, died the next day from her injuries.

In 2008, the state's law did little to help prevent Virginia motor vehicle collisions from occurring with emergency responders at intersections. The law required police officers to use a siren when passing through a red light at an intersection, but only at the officer's discretion and only when reasonably necessary.

On July 26, 2011, in response to McIntosh's untimely death, Virginia Governor Robert McDonnell signed into effect Ashley's Law to protect drivers on the road when emergency personnel are responding to a call.

Today, Ashley's Law requires emergency vehicles state-wide to take the following steps when entering an intersection against a red light:

Ashley's Law, which held almost unanimous support by passing both houses by a combined vote of 137 to 1, will help ensure that emergency vehicles arrive safely at the scene and that other drivers on the road remain unharmed.

If you or a family member has been involved in a Virginia motor vehicle accident, we can help. Michael Weisberg, an experienced Virginia car accident lawyer, has been representing personal injury victims in the Tidewater area for more than four decades. For a free, no obligation consultation, contact Michael Weisberg toll free at (800) 690-0235.

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Michael S. Weisberg, P.C.
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