CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. -- "Law enforcement cannot keep people from breaking the law," said, CBS 6 Legal Analyst Todd Stone.
On Saturday, investigators say that person, was 28-year-old David Robinson, Jr., who for the tenth time according to court records, was charged with driving on a suspended license among other charges when police say he caused a crash along interstate 95, south of the Wood Edge exit in Chesterfield county.
"It's an individual’s choice to get behind that wheel knowing they are suspended knowing they could put other lives in danger," said, Sergeant Stephan Vick, Virginia State Police.
Police say those lives, included two state troopers, a stranded motorist and three unrestrained children ages 4, 8, and 9, when Robinson didn't move over for officers aiding a driver with a flat tire.
"They immediately got over the barrier wall the disabled motorist they were assisting, got them out of harm’s way and at that point the vehicle struck the rear marked state police car and struck the unmarked car overturning onto the barrier wall," said Vick.
CBS 6 has learned over the last seven years Robinson has had nine driving on a suspended license offenses and has only served six months.
"There's no way to prevent people from doing it other than the punishment that dispenses, and in a case like this a judge always has up to 12 months on a driving on a suspended license but when you have this many priors courts start looking at the higher end of that range especially when you are talking about an accident like this where you have children unrestrained," said, Stone.
Stone says, Robinson could now face two years in jail and since he was driving somebody else's vehicle the charges most likely won't stop there.
"If you let someone operate your vehicle that has a suspended license and you are aware you can also be charged yourself as well," added, Vick.
June is "move over" awareness month. Authorities remind you, especially ahead of the Memorial day weekend, to be aware of emergency responders when you are driving.
"We're really pushing it. If you see red, blue, amber flashing blinking lights whether it be State Police, fire, rescue, VDOT a wrecker to move that lane over which you are required to do by the code if you can," said Vick.
