Family Seeks DUI Change - KXNet - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson

Family Seeks DUI Change

Drunk drivers take innocent lives.

Two families torn apart by drunk drivers last summer know this better than most.

The Mikkelson and Ruiz families met for the first time yesterday at the Capitol --- where they were asking North Dakota legislators to crack down on DUI laws --- even on the first offense.

Juan and Sandy Ruiz lost their two sons Cyris and Alaries when drunk driver - Juan Acosta drove over their tent at Lake Metagoshe in July of 2012.

Ruiz says their presense at the legislature was well received.

He says the two bills on the table reguarding drunk drivers both have pros and cons.

Ultimately, Ruiz says he's looking for increased awareness.

(Juan Ruiz, Boys killed by Drunk Driver) "I just want to see change happen. It doesn't matter what law goes into effect. I just want to see a comprehensive reform. I have to do this. The only alternative is doing nothing. I can't sit with that."

Juan Acosta, the drunk driver in the case, was granted a $250,000 bond.