CANTON, Ohio -- A Stark County mother and a state lawmaker are working to create change after a skateboarding stunt killed 16-year-old Dallas Swogger.
“He was a good kid and his life was taken too soon,” explains his mother, Melissa Swogger.
Thomas West, Democratic State Representative for the 49th House District, drafted the Dallas Swogger Act to bring awareness and prevent skateboarding accidents.
Dallas was reportedly performing a stunt called "skitching" when he was injured. He died weeks later.
"Skitching" is when someone is riding a skateboard, bike or anything with wheels and hangs onto a moving car.
“Currently in the books there is a bill that addresses bicycles that attach to cars, roller skating, things of that nature, but skateboarding is not included,” explains West. “So we put forth this bill to eliminate that option.”
Melissa is in support of the bill.
“I want kids to know that this is not OK. You’re risking your own life and others.”
The Dallas Swogger Act has to go through more steps in the legislative process before it can pass and become law.