Beckley, WV (WOAY) – Baylea’s Law took center stage in Beckley on Friday, as Governor Patrick Morrisey gathered with lawmakers, local officials and the family of Baylea Bower for a ceremonial signing of the legislation in the Beckley City Council chambers.
Bower’s sister, Amanda Craig, described the shock her family felt when a Raleigh County judge suspended Destany Lester’s prison sentence for killing Bower on Easter morning 2025 while impaired by alcohol and cocaine. Lester received home confinement and a youthful offender program instead of prison.
“Looking back, it’s just disgraceful in the way that she was disrespected and her memory was disrespected by the judge,” Craig said.
Morrisey said the law closes the gaps that allowed that outcome.
“Drug and alcohol impairment will no longer serve as a shield against the full weight of the criminal justice system,” the governor said. “Under this new law, those who commit aggravated DUI resulting in death will face 5 to 30 years in prison.”
The law also mandates fines of $2,000 to $10,000, a lifetime license revocation, and bars convicted drivers from being sentenced to home confinement or the youthful offender program.
State Sen. Brian Helton, who represents Raleigh County, said the legislation delivers what the community demanded. “We close that loophole, we make sure justice is served and these families are protected,” Helton said.
Craig said the moment carried deep meaning for her family. “Her name is engraved into our laws permanently,” she said. “We just want to remind everyone that she’s not just a name on a paper, that she’s a real person that is deeply loved and missed.”
Morrisey signed the bill April 2. It passed both chambers of the West Virginia Legislature unanimously earlier this year. Baylea’s Law takes effect June 12, 2026.
