A grieving Sullivan County mother is calling on Gov. Kathy Hochul to sign a bill aimed at updating the state’s wrongful death law after a crash that killed her only child.

Tami Roach lost her son, 31-year-old Travis Davis, in a motorcycle accident in Liberty in August. The Livingston Manor woman says the driver who hit him was given a traffic ticket and can’t be held civilly accountable for his death under the current statute, which was enacted in 1847.

Roach's experience and quest for accountability is like those of many grieving families in the Hudson Valley that News 12 has interviewed following the vehicular death of a loved one.

Roach started an online petition to pass the Grieving Families Act that has more than 2,000 signatures.

The bill would update the state law by expanding the circumstances that families can seek civil damages for funeral and medical expenses, loss of support and inheritance, as well as pain and suffering.

“One hundred and seventy-seven years ago, the vast majority of our population didn’t have any value; they didn’t have any rights. They didn’t have a say and that needs to change. This is 2024. So many things have changed in our society today that is not represented or is under-represented,” says Roach.

The Grieving Families Act passed in both houses last legislative session but was vetoed by the governor. Hochul’s office says she’s expected to review the legislation again.

If signed, it would apply to cases dating back to July 1, 2018. More on the legislation can be found here.