GAVIN
GLADDING

Dedicated in Memory of Gavin Gladding

This page is dedicated to Gavin Gladding and the cause of justice. Gavin was beloved by his family and friends. He was a loving and dedicated family man torn away from their lives forever. Gavin was a devoted educator, champion of the environment, and a decent man who was full of energy and life. He is missed by the students and staff of Fort Washington Elementary School, and colleagues with the Clovis Unified School District. The colors of this webpage are the colors of Ft. Washington where Gavin served as Vice Principal.

Hit & Run

On September 16th he was tragically taken from us by Rogelio Alvarez Maravilla who hit Gavin on Friant Road in Fresno, California. Maravilla, who hit Gavin fled the scene while he laid on the side of the road dying from the injuries. Maravilla only turned himself in when law enforcement authorities were about to arrest him six days later.

Rogelio Alvarez Maravilla who hit Gavin, fled the scene, was convicted and sentenced to three years in prison. We believe the punishment does not fit the crime and have urged the California legislature to close the loophole.

The Legislation

Assembly Bill 582 - Assemblyman Jim Patterson

Assembly Member Jim Patterson has introduced A.B. 582 (Gavin's Law) to increase the criminal penalties for leaving the scene of an accident. Fellow Valley legislators, Assembly Members Adam Gray and Joaquin Arambula have graciously co-sponsored this important legislation in addition to Assembly Members Tom Lackey and James Gallagher.

Make your Voice Heard and Sign the Petition

Gavin Gladding was a husband, father and friend. He was a bright light in our community that was extinguished.

Rogelio Alvarez Maravilla who killed Gavin will likely only serve a few months in prison for his crime because of a loophole in California law.

This loophole actually benefits drunk drivers who flee the scene of an accident to avoid DUI charges. Sign the petition and join our efforts to pass "Gavin's Law" to close this loophole and hold these drivers accountable.

Sign

Side by Side Look at the Proposed Reform

20001.

(a) The driver of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to a person, other than himself or herself, or in the death of a person shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident and shall fulfill the requirements of Sections 20003 and 20004.

(b) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), a person who violates subdivision (a) shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison, or in a county jail for not more than one year, or by a fine of not less than one thousand dollars ($1,000) nor more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000), or by both that imprisonment and fine.

(2) If the accident described in subdivision (a) results in death or permanent, serious injury, a person who violates subdivision (a) shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for two, three, or four years, or in a county jail for not less than 90 days nor more than one year, or by a fine of not less than one thousand dollars ($1,000) nor more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000), or by both that imprisonment and fine. However, the court, in the interests of justice and for reasons stated in the record, may reduce or eliminate the minimum imprisonment required by this paragraph.

(3) In imposing the minimum fine required by this subdivision, the court shall take into consideration the defendant's ability to pay the fine and, in the interests of justice and for reasons stated in the record, may reduce the amount of that minimum fine to less than the amount otherwise required by this subdivision.

(c) A person who flees the scene of the crime after committing a violation of Section 191.5 of, or paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of Section 192 of the Penal Code, upon conviction of any of these sections, in addition and consecutive to the punishment prescribed shall be punished by an additional term of imprisonment of five years in the state prison. This additional term shall not be imposed unless the allegation is charged in the accusatory pleading and admitted by the defendant or found to be true by the trier of fact. The court shall not strike a finding that brings a person within the provisions of this subdivision or an allegation made pursuant to this subdivision.

(d) As used in this section, "permanent, serious injury" means the loss or permanent impairment if function of a bodily member or organ.

(Amended by Stats. 2007, Ch 747, Sec. 30. Effective January 1, 2008)

CURRENT STATUTE

20001

(a) The driver of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to a person, other than himself or herself, or in the death of a person shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident and shall fulfill the requirements of Sections 20003 and 20004.

(b) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), a person who violates subdivision (a) shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison, or in a county jail for not more than one year, or by a fine of not less than one thousand dollars ($1,000) nor more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000), or by both that imprisonment and fine.

(2) If the accident described in subdivision (a) results in great bodily injury, a person who violates subdivision (a) shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for four, five, or six years and by a fine of not less than one thousand dollars ($1,000) nor more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000). However, the court, in the interests of justice and for reasons stated in the record, may reduce or eliminate the minimum imprisonment required by this paragraph.

(3) If the accident described in subdivision (a) results in death, a person who violates subdivision (a) shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for six, seven, or eight years and by a fine of not less than one thousand dollars ($1,000) nor more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000), or by both that imprisonment and fine. However, the court, in the interests of justice and for reasons stated in the record, may reduce or eliminate the minimum imprisonment required by this paragraph.

(4) In imposing the minimum fine required by this subdivision, the court shall take into consideration the defendant's ability to pay the fine and, in the interests of justice and for reason stated in the record, may reduce the amount of that minimum fine to less than the amount otherwise required by this subdivision.

(c) A person who flees the scene of the crime after committing a violation of Section 191.5 of, or paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of section 192 of the Penal Code, upon conviction of any of those sections, in addition and consecutive to the punishment prescribed, shall be punished by an additional term of imprisonment of five years in the state prison. This additional term shall not be imposed unless the allegation is charged in the accusatory pleading and admitted by the defendant or found to be true by the trier of fact. The court shall not strike a finding that brings a person within the provisions of this subdivision or an allegation made pursuant to this subdivision.

(d) As used in this section, "permanent, serious injury" means the loss or permanent impairment of function of a bodily member or organ.

SUGGESTED REFORM

Gavin’s Law Gains Support of Key Democrats, Hearing Scheduled in January

GAVIN GLADDING