Daughter Advocates for “Deb’s Law” to Ban Drowsy Driving After Mother’s Tragic Death in Indiana Crash
SPENCER CO., Ind. (WFIE/Gray News) – A grieving daughter is pushing to change Indiana state law after her mother was killed in a car accident caused by a drowsy driver over a year ago. Stacey Lawalin’s mother, Debra Scherer, 68, died in a head-on collision on State Route 66 in September 2023. Scherer, the president of her local Habitat for Humanity chapter, was on her way to a meeting when the crash occurred.
According to the Spencer County Sheriff’s Office investigation, the driver responsible for the crash had fallen asleep at the wheel, veered into oncoming traffic, and struck Scherer’s vehicle. Scherer succumbed to her injuries later that night. “She was 68 and healthy. She had a lot of life to live yet,” Lawalin said. “It wasn’t like she’d been sick or had a heart attack. Somebody stole her from us.”
Months after the accident, Lawalin discovered that Indiana law only allows prosecution of drivers if their actions involved speeding or illegal passing. Since the drowsy driver wasn’t speeding or passing, they faced no criminal charges and were fined just $11.50. “It seems that people should be held accountable for their actions,” Lawalin emphasized.
Determined to prevent similar tragedies, Lawalin is advocating for “Deb’s Law,” which would amend Indiana’s reckless and impaired driving statutes to include drowsy driving. “There’s a difference between driving tired and driving so tired that you’re running people off the road,” she said.
Lawalin has launched a petition to garner support for the proposed law, which has already garnered hundreds of signatures. Her goal is to reach 500 signatures to draw the attention of state legislators. Currently, only New Jersey and Arkansas have laws specifically addressing drowsy driving, despite the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimating that driver drowsiness contributes to up to 20% of annual traffic fatalities.
Scherer’s death came just two days before her 50th wedding anniversary. Instead of celebrating, her family held her funeral on the same day they had planned a party. “It’ll never bring her back, but just to give us some kind of closure, something good can come out of it,” Lawalin said. “And, save another family from going through what we went through.”
To support Lawalin’s cause, you can sign her petition online. Her efforts aim to honor her mother’s memory and prevent future tragedies caused by drowsy driving.
