Service First for David Courreges
 David Courreges Gold & Blue Magazine
Fall 2007
http://www.stmarytx.edu/spotlight/?go=courreges
The paths of David Courreges and Sarah K. Thompson, both St. Mary’s University law students at the same time, never crossed while they were in school. But years later, when the Thompson family needed help, it was Courreges who stepped up to give it.
By the time Thompson was a thirdyear law student in 2005, Courreges had graduated and was practicing law in Austin. That year, while she was preparing for graduation and getting ready for bar exams, Thompson was killed by a hit-and-run driver while crossing the street.
The driver of the car was convicted to five years in prison for failing to stop and render aid – much lower than what he would have received if he had stopped and been found to be intoxicated. At the time he was convicted, that was the maximum penalty regardless of whether the accident resulted in serious injury or death. Thompson’s family felt that this penalty provided an incentive for drivers under the influence to flee, rather than stay and face more serious charges.
That’s when the Thompsons contacted Al Hartman, the law school’s alumni relations director, asking for help to change the law. Hartman contacted Courreges, who practices with the Austin firm De Leon, Boggins & Icenogle PC, who was moved to take on the case bono. Courreges and the Thompson family spent countless hours advocating for changes in the legislation on Sarah Thompson’s behalf.
“Sarah’s tragedy brought the St. Mary’s law school family together. It is a testament to the University, not only that it supports its students, but works to right legal wrongs. I am proud I could play a part in it,” Courreges said. “Getting to know the Thompson family has been very influential to me. We had to succeed with changing this law for this family and other families that are impacted by such selfish acts.”
Success came this summer when Gov. Rick Perry signed into law the Sarah Kathryn Thompson Act, which increases the maximum penalty for hitand- run to 10 years if the accident causes serious injury or death. The bill was introduced by State Rep. Dennis Bonnen of Angleton.
“Working with the Thompson family and Rep. Bonnen to pass the Sarah K. Thompson Act is the biggest sense of accomplishment I’ve ever felt,” Courreges said. “My legal passion is to help those who wouldn’t normally have the opportunity to help themselves, who don‘t know what their options are. That’s why I owe so much to St. Mary’s. They taught us public service first, financial gain second.”
— Beth Barbee
|
