News release

April 28, 2010

State Patrol chief, licensing director and bill sponsor highlight new cell phone law Friday

PARKLAND, WA — The parents of a 19-year-old killed in a February collision as she sent text messages will be on hand this Friday as the State Patrol chief, director of the Department of Licensing and state Sen. Tracey Eide discuss the new primary offense cell phone law that takes effect in little over a month.

The vehicle that 19-year-old Heather Lerch was driving in the accident will also be at the event, which takes place at 1 p.m. Friday at the Washington State Patrol/Department of Licensing joint office facility in Parkland. Heather’s parents will be available after the event for interviews.

A new video public service announcement based on Heather Lerch’s story will be rolled out. Copies will be distributed during the event.

Also expected to attend is Lowell Porter, director of the state’s traffic safety commission, representatives from the emergency medicine, trauma and injury prevention community, wireless industry representatives and driver training school staff.

  • WHO: State Patrol Chief John Batiste, Licensing Director Liz Luce, state Sen. Tracey Eide and Dan and Wendy Lerch, parents of 19-year-old Heather Lerch. The Lerch’s have said they will only be available to speak with media on Friday following the event. For questions regarding Mr. and Mrs. Lerch, contact Tony Sermonti at the Department of Licensing.
     
  • WHAT: Media event highlighting new cell phone law
     
  • WHEN and WHERE: 1 p.m. on Friday, April 30 at the Washington State Patrol/Department of Licensing Offices, 2502 112th St. East, Parkland. Event takes place outside.
     
  • VISUALS: The vehicle involved in the Lerch collision will be at the event site.

A :30 PSA and 5:00 video will be distributed at the event to media. The video files are in QuickTime’s .mov file format and use the H.264 codec. miniDV format 16:9 will also be available.

Access Washington