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Pataki signs Vasean’s Law at PS 165 as moms look on

By Scott Sieber

Such was the case with John Wirta, 56, of Fresh Meadows, who was allegedly drunk when he ran down two pre-teen boys with his van on 73rd Avenue in Flushing in October 2003. The impact killed Vasean Alleyne, 11, and left Angel Reyes, 12, with permanent brain damage. The boys' mothers wanted the driver to do hard time, but prosecutors could not accuse Wirta of anything other than drinking and driving, a crime with a maximum penalty of one year in prison.That was unacceptable to the grieving mothers, so they lobbied Albany for stiffer penalties in the law, and in record time, they won. And so it was with bittersweet tears that the mother of Vasean, Monique Dixon, and Angel, Diana Reyes, accompanied Gov. George Pataki as he signed Vasean's Law, a new bill increasing the punishment for the injury or death caused by drivers under the influence.Pataki signed the bill in the PS 165 auditorium, packed with the classmates of the two boys, and several state legislators who supported the effort.”While we mourn the loss of Vasean, and are saddened by the injury to his buddy, Angel, we know that from their horrific accident, the suffering of other DWI victims and their families will not have the extra burden of a justice system without justice,” said state Assemblyman Brian McLaughlin (D-Flushing), who sponsored the bill along with Assemblywoman Nettie Mayersohn (D-Flushing). “… If you choose to drink and drive, and hurt someone, there's a huge price to pay, and it's called Vasean's Law.”Since the incident, the two mothers have furiously lobbied city and state officials to put teeth into the prior penal law, which even prosecutors said contained gross loopholes.”Under the existing New York law, absent evidence of recklessness or criminal negligence Ð such as excessive speed or running a red light or a stop sign Ð felony charges could not be filed,” said Queens District Attorney Richard Brown at the bill signing. “Today that changes.”Surrounded by city and state officials, her son's schoolmates and family members, an emotional Dixon threw her fist into the air and screamed, “Yes!” as Pataki held aloft Vasean's Law, freshly inked with his signature.”When someone is out there drunk behind the wheel of a car, we don't have to prove anything else than that they got behind the wheel drunk and they killed someone,” said Pataki of the new bill. “They should be charged as the serious felon they are, and today that will be the case.” In a brief speech to the students, politicians and reporters at PS 125, Dixon walked around the room, holding a picture of herself and her son, while proclaiming victory.”This is my family, this is my future, this is my son,” she said. “My future has been erased by a drunk driver, my family has been shattered by a drunk driver, and my son, Vasean's life, has been the catalyst for change in the state of New York.”Dixon said her push to lobby legislators in Albany was not always an easy task, but most stood with her.”There was some opposition, but those people just put the fire under my feet,” she said. “Those people just made our purpose even more necessary. I'd either walk right around them, or walk right over them.”Reach reporter Scott Sieber by e-mail at news@timesledger or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 138.