Family of slain DPS officer wants harsher distracted driving penalties

PHOENIX — The family of an Arizona Department of Public Safety officer killed by a distracted trucker is calling for stricter penalties for drivers who kill law enforcement.

In 2013, Officer Timothy Huffman was killed in a multivehicle accident by Jorge Espinoza, whose dash camera recorded him looking at pornography and social media websites prior to the collision. Huffman was investigating an accident when Espinoza hit him.

Espinoza was convicted of negligent homicide, endangerment and criminal damage, but not murder. Huffman’s family feels Espinoza’s likely sentence will be too lenient and want harsher penalties for similar incidents.

“We’re trying to put some awareness out there for distracted driving,” Lisa Huffman Medina, Huffman’s sister, said.

Family members plan to ask senators for assistance in getting the word out nationwide.

“We’ve got things set up for after sentencing to get things rolling,” Huffman’s brother, Paul, said. “We just want Tim to be remembered for the good person that he was.”