ROCKVILLE, Md. — Although a new Maryland law aimed against drunken driving is a step in the right direction, Montgomery County prosecutors say the state’s legislature left a gap in that law.
Noah’s Law — named after a police officer killed by a drunken driver — mandates that judges have convicted drunken drivers install interlock devices on their cars so they can’t drive drunk. But Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy says nearly half of drunken drivers arrested in the county are first offenders, and thus not covered by the law, which was enacted this year.
He says from now on, he’s instructed his attorneys to ask judges to install interlock devices in all drunken-driving offenses. “It saves lives; it’s common sense,” McCarthy told reporters Thursday.
McCarthy talked to reporters after Luis Reluzco, 47, was sentenced to 10 years in prison in the death of Officer Noah Leotta. Reluzco admitted responsibility for the crash that killed the 24-year-old Montgomery County police officer, who was working a sobriety checkpoint on Rockville Pike on Dec. 3, 2015, when he was hit. Reluzco had a blood alcohol level of .22, according to court documents. Prosecutors also said he smoked marijuana, took Xanax and had 10 drinks in the hours before the fatal crash.
Rich Leotta, Noah’s father, said his family and Noah’s memory kept him going as the family fought to pass Noah’s Law in Annapolis.
“Ultimately it was Noah, who gives me the strength to do what I have to do — to save lives — to continue doing what he was always trying to do: to save lives. That’s what it’s all about,” he said.
Leotta told reporters that everyone has to take responsibility for making the roads safer. He urged motorists to plan ahead: If they know they’ll be out and want to have a drink, get a designated driver, call a cab or use a ride service.
He added, “I know Halloween’s coming up. A lot of people drink and drive. A lot of trick-or-treaters are going to be out there. Let’s save lives, people!”
