Tennessee
N icholas Scott Galinger was the proud father of young Ethan and Hailey; his two children were the joy of his life. Nick moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee and with high recommendations was asked to join their police force. One night, while on duty, a call from dispatch came across the radio asking Nick and his partner to check on a manhole due to storms in the area. As Nick walked into the middle of the street to check the manhole, an impaired driver sped down the road, with no regard for the hazard scaffolding and the blinking light, hitting Nick. Nick was thrown over 100 feet into the air and unfortunately, passed away due to his injuries. As Nick’s family grieved their loss, they came together to raise awareness and honor him by passing legislation. This legislation is known as Ethan’s, Hailey’s and Bentley’s Law. This law requires convicted drunk drivers who kill a parent or parents of a minor child to be ordered to pay child support for surviving children until they are 18 years of age. Originally, the legislation was created “ ... to raise awareness and honor Nick by passing legislation.This legislation is known as Ethan’s, Hailey’s and Bentley’s Law ... ”
in Missouri by a grandmother who was left to raise her grandson, Bentley, after his parents and sibling, Mason, were tragically killed on April 13, 2021, by an alleged drunk driver. After Nick’s tragic death, Nick’s parents, Gretchen and Barry Galinger, worked to get this legislation passed into law in Tennessee, honoring their son, Nicholas and their grandchildren, Ethan and Hailey. Senator Mike Bell and Representative Mark Hall supported this bill and Governor Bill Lee signed the bill into law. Versions of this legislation are now being considered in over 20 other states.
MADDvocate ®
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