CHEROKEE COUNTY, GEORGIA — A driver has been sentenced after fatally striking a tow truck operator on Interstate 575 in Cherokee County in 2023, with the victim's family packing the courtroom and calling for stronger enforcement of the state's Move Over Law in his memory.

On October 19, 2023, Frank Ingram, a tow truck driver with Ingram Towing and Impound Services in Cherokee County, was dispatched to tow a dump truck on I-575. He was preparing to hook up his safety chain when he was struck and killed by a passing vehicle. David Beaver was subsequently charged with vehicular homicide.

^{David Beaver}

Beaver was sentenced to 180 days in the Cherokee County jail, which can be served in four-day increments. He was also ordered to spend the anniversary of Frank's death behind bars each year. "October the 19th, the day of the accident, he has to report in every year on that date," said Gloria Ingram, Frank's mother. In addition, Beaver was ordered to complete 768 hours of community service picking up trash on the side of the highway, pay a $2,000 fine, and is prohibited from holding a driver's license unless approved by the court.

Gloria Ingram said that while she accepts the sentence, she wishes it had been more severe. "Because I don't have my son no more," she said.

^{Frank Ingram}

Frank was remembered by his family for his love of race car driving and his dedication to the family business. In his honor, the Ingram family is now pushing for stronger enforcement and harsher penalties for Move Over Law violations, as well as greater public awareness of the law. "If people would just slow down, if you can't get over, that slows the people down behind them, and it makes people on the side of the road safer," Gloria said. She is also advocating for Move Over Law education to be incorporated into driver's education programs and included on licensing tests. "I want it on driver's education and on your test, when you get your license," she said.

All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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