Victim's Family Proposes Changes To State Law After Hit & Run

DENVER (CBS) - A possible plea deal for a man accused in a hit & run that seriously injured two people has the victim's family calling for changes to state law.

Timothy Albo and Heather Kornman were both hurt when they were struck by a driver that drove off at the intersection of 20th and Chestnut in October.

The push for new legislation comes after a string of similar crimes in the area.

"We know it will be tough and hopefully we'll have the backing of the Denver metro community," Rodney Albo, Tim's brother, said.

Rodney said alcohol may have played a role in the crime. Under Colorado law, a drunk driver who causes serious bodily injury can receive up to 16 years in prison. Hit & run drivers face half that time.

"It's better to leave the scene and we want to get it out that if you leave the scene and we find out about it there are mandatory charges," Rodney said.

Rodney wants all drivers in hit & run cases to lose their license and face jail time in extreme cases.

Denver attorney Dan Gerash has handled numerous vehicular assault cases.

"Unfortunately the law does seem to be if you're drunk and you've hit somebody you might be better off leaving the scene," Gerash said.

While Gerash sympathized with the Albos, he said state law is so complex, with so many grey areas, that a change may not be possible.

"When you look at the hit & run laws it seems to me they've done the best they can," Gerash said.

Meanwhile the Albo family is planning a public rally next month to persuade lawmakers to enact what they're calling Tim's Law.

"We're in it for the long haul and we're going to fight to change those laws we feel need to be changed," Rodney said.

Brandon Mondragon has been charged in the Albo case. He's expected to enter a plea Feb. 7.

While Tim survived the accident, he still has a long road to recovery.