A combination of certain laws in California enables drivers charged with vehicular manslaughter to remain without criminal or driving record penalties, leading to demands for changes from victims’ families.
Alison Lyman, who is advocating for justice regarding her son’s death in a car accident last year, believes that lenient crime laws enacted during Governor Gavin Newsom’s administration have reduced accountability for what she refers to as “negligence.” She expressed, “I have a feeling that this all unfolded during a time when everyone was focused on toughening crime laws and reducing prison populations.” Lyman noted, “Now we’re seeing the effects, with these drivers back on our roads.”
Lyman’s son, Connor Lopez, was tragically killed on April 23, 2025, when a 50-year-old woman, Harkit Kaur, swerved into oncoming traffic, resulting in a collision with Lopez’s motorcycle. Witness accounts indicated that Kaur did not show any signs of impairment according to a police report.
It was particularly disheartening for Lyman to discover that her son’s death was classified as a “misdemeanor” under California law, which, oddly enough, is considered less severe than shoplifting. What shocked her even more was the possibility that Kaur’s record could be completely erased under a 2020 law signed by Newsom.
“I’ll always remember sitting in front of the prosecutor when he mentioned a ‘diversion program,’ and that’s when we found out Governor Newsom had enacted AB 3234,” Lyman recounted.
This law broadened the authority of judges to dismiss some misdemeanor cases before trial, allowing for charges to be dropped if the defendant satisfactorily completes a court-ordered program, effectively erasing the record of the arrest.
“Once the charge is dismissed, it’s gone,” Lyman noted. “The driver who killed Connor never lost her license. I’ve seen her driving.” She mentioned that Kaur has not been formally sentenced yet, but a decision is expected soon.
Lyman elaborated that alongside other laws passed under Newsom, courts are now directed to consider diversion options before imposing prison sentences. “I observed a woman whose husband was killed in Sacramento—also labeled a misdemeanor—and the judge referenced a code I hadn’t heard of before, 17.2, which directs judges to consider all options, including diversion, before sentencing,” she said.
Recently, Newsom signed AB 2167, a law mandating that courts explore alternatives to incarceration. This includes collaborative justice programs and probation.
In response to her son’s loss, Lyman has been collaborating with state legislators for further legislative advocacy. One initiative, SB 953, requires all vehicular manslaughter cases to be documented with the California Department of Transportation.
Senator Roger Niello, the bill’s sponsor, articulated that his legislation would add points to a defendant’s driving record, regardless of any diversion outcome. “Currently, receiving a speeding ticket weighs more heavily than being involved in a fatal accident. Diversion doesn’t erase the fact that someone lost their life,” Niello stated.
SB 953 was passed unanimously out of committee. Lyman’s advocacy continues as she seeks to push for reforms in California’s approach to such cases.
