WV House passes bill that would increase penalties for DUI causing death

By: Lori Kersey

Outlets: West Virginia Watch

Published: February 19, 2026

Words: 547

Last Updated: 2 weeks, 5 days ago

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The West Virginia House of Delegates unanimously passed a bill Thursday that would increase the penalty and fines for driving under the influence causing death.

House Bill 4712 is named for Baylea Bower, a 25-year-old Boone County woman who was killed on Easter morning last year in a head-on collision in Raleigh County.

The driver of the other vehicle, Destany Lester, pleaded guilty to driving impaired causing death, and one count …

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