FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – June 2, 2026
Contact:
Paige Carbone Regional Executive Director, Pennsylvania
[email protected] | 516-361-5859
HARRISBURG, PA — Mothers Against Drunk Driving today announced its support for “Joey’s Law,” House Bill 2495, bipartisan legislation introduced by Representative Shelby Labs to strengthen Pennsylvania’s DUI-related vehicular homicide laws and increase accountability in fatal impaired driving cases.
The legislation is named in honor of Joseph “Joey” Kay, whose life was tragically cut short on June 2, 2024, in Hilltown Township when he was killed by an impaired driver.
On the second anniversary of Joey’s death, his family is helping prevent other families from enduring the same heartbreak.
“Our family is proud to support Joey’s Law, House Bill 2495, a bipartisan effort introduced by Representative Shelby Labs to strengthen Pennsylvania’s DUI-related vehicular homicide laws,” Shannon Rittenhouse, on behalf of the Kay family said in a statement.
“Throughout the criminal justice process, we were shocked to learn the sentence imposed reflected the minimum under current Pennsylvania law,” the family continued. “Joey’s Law was created to help address the loopholes in Pennsylvania’s current sentencing structure and establish stronger accountability in fatal DUI cases involving aggravating factors.”
The impaired driver responsible for Joey’s death was reportedly fleeing police, traveling more than 65 miles per hour in a 40-mile-per-hour zone, and had a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.195% — more than twice the legal limit.
“The consequences for taking a life while driving impaired should better align with the devastation left behind,” the Kay family said. “We cannot bring Joey back, but we hope his legacy of caring for others and keeping his community safe can help create meaningful change and protect other families from experiencing this same heartbreak.”
The Kay family also said their work with MADD Pennsylvania revealed the broader scope of impaired driving tragedies happening across the state.
“Through this process and our partnership with MADD PA, we were shocked and saddened to learn of more stories like Joey’s,” the family said. “Too many Pennsylvania families are facing the same pain because of impaired driving.”
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 290 people were killed in drunk-driving crashes in Pennsylvania in 2024, representing 26% of all traffic fatalities statewide.
“When someone makes the decision to drive impaired and that decision takes a life, there must be meaningful accountability,” said Labs. “The current mandatory minimum penalties do not reflect the seriousness of these cases or the permanent loss families are forced to carry. Joey’s Law is about strengthening consequences for impaired drivers and reinforcing the responsibility every person takes on when they get behind the wheel.”
Under current Pennsylvania law, homicide by vehicle while DUI is generally a second-degree felony carrying a mandatory minimum sentence of three years. Joey’s Law would increase mandatory minimum penalties in fatal DUI cases and strengthen sentencing requirements for repeat offenders.
“Pennsylvania families deserve laws that reflect the seriousness and lifelong devastation caused by impaired driving,” said Paige Carbone, Pennsylvania Regional Executive Director for MADD. “Joey’s Law represents an important step toward stronger accountability, justice for victims, and safer roads for everyone.”
The Kay family thanked Representative Labs, bipartisan lawmakers supporting the bill, and MADD advocates for helping move the legislation forward.
“We are also deeply thankful for the support we have received from MADD, our community, and everyone continuing to stand beside us as we work to move Joey’s Law forward.”
The Kay family has also been active in broader impaired driving prevention advocacy efforts, including supporting continued momentum behind the federal HALT Drunk Driving Law, which will require advanced impaired driving prevention technology in future vehicles.
Additional information about House Bill 2495, Joey’s Law, is available through the Pennsylvania General Assembly.
About MADD
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is a national nonprofit leading the movement to end impaired driving for good. Since 1980, MADD has helped reduce drunk driving deaths in America by more than 51%, saved nearly 500,000 lives, and served nearly one million victims and survivors. The organization is committed to leading prevention efforts with young adults, collaborating with law enforcement to keep our roads safe from impaired drivers, as well as advocating for stricter sentencing and stronger laws, including the HALT Drunk Driving Law that mandates anti-drunk driving technology in every new car. MADD continues to provide support services to victims and survivors of impaired driving at no charge through victim advocates and the 24-Hour Victim Help Line at 1-877-MADD-HELP.
For more information or to donate, visit madd.org and follow MADD on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
