SCHOHARIE, N.Y.--A Schoharie woman turns a heartbreaking tragedy into a national law.
"Jason's Law" is named for Jason Rivenburg, a Schoharie County truck driver who was killed in South Carolina in 2009, while resting at an abandoned gas station.
It's the first bill ever introduced by Congressman Paul Tonko; Friday it passed both houses.
Since 2009, Jason's wife, Hope Rivenburg, has been tirelessly pushing for the law to pass, along with Senators Schumer and Gilibrand, and Congressman Tonko.
The law will now prioritize funding to address the shortage of parking for commercial vehicles on national highways.
Rivenburg tells me she never gave up not just because of her husband's tragedy, but because of their three children.
Her son Josh is now five years old and her twins are three years old.
"We can't bring Jason back, we are very well aware of that, but to see everyone's hard work pay off, and to see it actually become a law, it's amazing," says Rivenburg.
Rivenburg says there were times during the past three years that she doubted if the law would pass.
But she says her and her family's hard work paid off, with countless trips to Washington D.C.
"I don't feel like a strong person, I feel like an average person, maybe it's because I was raised you do what's right, and this is what's right," she says.
Jason's Law will increase safety conditions at truck stops across the country, by opening more rest areas, increase lighting and provide federal funding to make it all happen.
"So many states are lacking spots for these drivers to park, so they have options on where they can park without being put in danger," she says.
But above anything, Rivenburg says "Jason's Law" will be a permanent legacy for their children.
"There are pictures around the house, the kids know who their father is, they know he is in the moon, and that it wasn't his fault to leave us," says Rivenburg. "Jason's memory is definitely kept alive with our kids."
Jason's Law also requires the Department of Transportation to conduct a survey of the availability of parking facilities within each state to make sure there are enough.
Rivenburg says ultimately, she hopes the law will prevent another tragedy like her husband's from happening again.
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