Everything You Need to Know About The Sergeant Patrick Kepp Act
At Malloy Law Offices, we always relish the opportunity to inform our community of upcoming changes to the law. At all levels, America’s law codes are living documents which represent the anxieties and changing circumstances of the American people. A society of laws means a change in the law is a change in society. Informing our community of these changes is both our civic responsibility as Americans and our professional responsibility as legal professionals. Today’s Malloy Law blog post will cover Maryland’s new Sergeant Patrick Kepp act, which aims to impose more stringent penalties for extreme speeding in the state.
Who is Sergeant Patrick Kepp?
In October 2023, Montgomery County police attempted to stop twenty-one-year-old Rafael Mayorga on Interstate 270. Mayorga, a known habitual offender to MoCo traffic police, was speeding in a green Dodge Challenger. Sgt. Kepp was struck by Mayorga’s vehicle at a speed of over 100 miles per hour while attempting to deploy “stop sticks” in front of the speeding Challenger.
After striking Sgt. Kepp, Mayorga continued driving up the highway until he was stopped by a different set of stop sticks several miles from the site of the collision. Mayorga, unlicensed and on probation at the time of the incident, was taken into custody. Sgt. Kepp survived the collision, but had both of his legs amputated due to his injuries. Mayorga was convicted on 13 charges in April. However, prosecutors were disappointed that the jury declined to convict on the charge of attempted murder. Mayorga received a sentence of 22 years in prison. In November 2024, Sgt. Kepp returned to work at the police force, his recovery and rehabilitation are ongoing.
The Sergeant Patrick Kepp Act and the War on Reckless Speeding
In the light of this tragedy, Maryland legislators have taken action to impose harsher penalties for extreme speeding in the state. Drivers who surpass the posted limit by 16 miles per hour or more after the posted speed limit will be subject to increased fines based on their travel speed as of October 1. There will be no adjustment to the $40 basic fine for exceeding the speed limit by 12 to 15 mph. Given Maryland’s commitment to assessing fines by speed camera, speeders can expect to see increased fines in their mailboxes. The new penalties are as follows:
- 16 to 19 mph over the Speed Limit – $70
- 20 to 29 mph over the Speed Limit – $120
- 30 to 39 mph over the Speed Limit – $230
- 40 mph or more over the Speed Limit – $425
If You’re Involved in an Accident With a Speeding Driver
Your health is your top priority if you are in a collision with a speeding driver. For anyone who might be hurt, don’t hesitate to call 911 for assistance. The first step to healing is to get your injuries diagnosed and treated by a professional.
Recording the accident scene should be your top concern after taking care of your health. Discuss insurance details with the other motorist. Take photos of the damage to your vehicle as well as any other vehicles that may be affected. Obtaining witness accounts and looking for traffic camera footage should also be your top priorities. This will be crucial in demonstrating that the other motorist was careless since they were speeding.
How Malloy Law Can Help
If you or a loved one has been victimized by a speeding driver in Maryland, Virginia, or Washington DC, Malloy Law can help. Our experienced team of personal injury attorneys as well as our dedicated 24/7 support staff are standing by to evaluate your case free of charge. We’ll aggressively pursue compensation for your lost wages, medical bills, emotional trauma, and the lifelong support you’ll need to live a dignified and comfortable existence with your injury. Don’t wait to seek compensation. Contact Malloy Law today and let’s win your case!