A Brandon mother whose son was killed while working as a Road Ranger on Interstate 75 in Pasco County is renewing her campaign for stronger roadside-worker protections after another Road Ranger died in Palm Beach County.

Joi Marazita's son, Antonio Marazita, 24, was struck and killed July 12, according to his family's campaign website. A suspected drunken driver hit him as he assisted at a crash scene, WTSP reported Oct. 27.

WTSP reported that a second Road Ranger, identified by his family as Kalibe Combs, 23, of West Palm Beach, died Oct. 25 on northbound I-95 near Lantana Road. The station cited the Florida Highway Patrol as saying an 18-year-old driver entered closed lanes at a crash scene, struck Combs and hit a marked patrol cruiser.

Campaign seeks sponsors

Marazita calls her proposal "Antonio's Law." Her campaign seeks protected-responder status for Road Rangers, roadside crews and tow truck operators; stronger minimum sentences for DUI manslaughter involving on-duty roadside workers; first-degree felony treatment for fatal impaired-driving crashes involving alcohol levels at least twice the legal limit; and stronger Move Over penalties and driver education.

These are the campaign's requested changes, not an enacted law or a final legislative text. The website says it is seeking sponsors. Marazita told WTSP she has been speaking with state Sen. Danny Burgess; the station did not report a sponsorship commitment from him.

Existing roadside protections

Road Rangers already are covered by Florida's Move Over requirements. State highway safety officials tell drivers to move over safely for stopped emergency and service vehicles or slow down when they cannot change lanes safely.

The Florida Department of Transportation funds the Road Ranger program through private contractors. Patrols help stranded motorists, remove debris and assist with traffic control at incidents.

Information about Marazita's proposals and petitions is available at AntoniosLaw.com.