Many Outraged Driver In Fatal Crash Still Had License

INDIANAPOLIS -- Many people are incensed that a man who had his license suspended 16 times and had four DUI convictions still had a valid driver's license when, according to police, he plowed into a woman's car Tuesday night, killing her.

John Ferrell Jr., 44, had just renewed his license five days before the collision at 56th Street and High School Road in which police said Ferrell was intoxicated and going nearly 80 mph, almost double the speed limit.

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Images: Crash Scene

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Susan Baldwin, 70, died instantly in the wreck, which happened as she pulled out of a gas station. Witnesses were horrified at the scene.

"There's a lady in the car that's not moving or responding," said a 911 caller.

"It's a black truck -- oh my God -- and a red, little bitty car. Please have somebody hurry up," said another caller.

Ferrell was convicted of DUI in 1984, 1985 and twice in 2003. Police said his license was suspended 16 times since 1982 in 19 different driving convictions.

Bureau of Motor Vehicles spokesman Dennis Rosebrough told 6News' Ericka Flye that there was nothing the BMV could do to keep Ferrell from getting a license. His suspensions had run their course and he'd completed all of the requirements associated with them.

Rosebrough said the BMV does not have authority to withhold a license from someone who has no active suspensions. That decision is left up to the courts.

Indiana's habitual traffic violator law only considers violations that happened within the last 10 years. Some of Ferrell's violations fell outside that window.

"It is certainly clear that this individual … has no respect for the law," said one commenter on TheIndyChannel.com.

"Clearly the court system has failed on this issue," said another commenter. "He was arrested and convicted, but the sentence obviously wasn't enough. He'll have to live with the fact that he's now killed someone and has ruined several lives."

Kitty Greene, Indiana executive director of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, said she's fed up with how repeat offenders are handled.

"I don't understand it. It frustrates me that it can continue to happen," Green said. "Drunk drivers will repeat and they'll do it over and over again."

Greene has advocated stronger legislation and MADD has been pushing for the ignition interlock device. When it's installed, a driver must blow into it before their car will start.

MADD wants that device to be mandatory for DUI offenders. Currently, it can be ordered at a judge's discretion.