NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A Tennessee bill that would create a street racing task force responsible for studying best practices for curbing street racing passed through a House committee Tuesday, gaining bipartisan support.
HB 2062 honors 34-year-old Jacob "Jake" Barnhardt, an Army special forces medic veteran who was hit and killed by a street racer while driving on Clarksville Pike on his way to pick up his children last March.
Barnhardt's partner, Katie Kastle, testified before lawmakers Tuesday, March 19 about the tragedy that changed her life forever.
"Street racing has gotten out of control," Kastle said. "Much like a firearm, a vehicle is a weapon when inappropriately and outrageously utilized in an irresponsible manner, and as you can see by the loss that we suffered from Jake, this is what happens when we don't correctly police up these issues."
When Nashville resident and advocate, Jeff Sexton, first heard Barnhardt's story a year ago, he asked lawmakers if they could help create laws to address the growing street racing issue in Tennessee.
"I actually have my own Jacob. Jake Sexton," Sexton said. "He'll be 7-years-old next month, and it hit home. It was personal."
Rep. Jason Powell (D-Nashville) and Rep. Mike Sparks (R-Smyrna) worked together to come up with the bill that would create a street racing task force, which would be made up of more than a dozen members appointed by various agencies, including law enforcement, who would study the best ways to combat street racing across Tennessee.
However, Sexton told News 2 the bill's ultimate goal is to honor Barnhardt's life and legacy while preventing more tragedies.
"This is all about Jake Barnhardt and his legacy moving forward. This is all about [Jake's parents and Jake's [partner] getting some healing process, and this is all about holding irresponsible speed racers accountable," Sexton said. "We owe it to Jake to see this through."
HB 2062 passed the House Transportation Committee Tuesday, and will be presented to another subcommittee on March 27.