‘Xavier’s Law’: B.C. family’s grief sparks push for tougher penalties on drivers who cause death

In the Cowichan Valley, a handmade sign on a quiet rural road reads “Go Slow for Xavier.”
It marks the spot where 12-year-old Xavier Rasul-Jankovics, an avid hockey player with NHL dreams, was killed by an alleged speeding driver on Aug. 25.

“He was my right-hand man,” said his father, Josh Jankovics, standing beside the family’s farmhouse lined with hundreds of condolence cards. “Xavier did not have a chance.”

Police say a 17-year-old driver in a Honda Civic lost control; speed was “an important factor.” The investigation continues, but the family says they’ve received few answers — and no assurance the driver isn’t already back behind the wheel.

A call for ‘Xavier’s Law’

Xavier’s parents, Josh Jankovics and Zahra Rasul, want to turn their grief into change. Their proposal — which they’re calling Xavier’s Law — would:

• Suspend licences immediately after crashes that cause death, pending the outcome of investigations or court proceedings.

• Impose lifetime driving bans for anyone convicted of dangerous driving causing death.

“Cars are like weapons,” said Rasul. “If you kill someone with one, you shouldn’t just be able to drive again while the system sorts itself out.”

A weekend memorial tournament is retiring Xavier’s jersey #11, and a scholarship fund in his name has already raised $138,000.

Premier promises action

The family’s campaign reached Victoria this week. Premier David Eby met privately with the Jankovics family and, according to his office, promised to pursue reforms.

Attorney General Niki Sharma said the government is “committed to figuring out what we can do.”
“Why should a person be entitled to drive again after that?” she asked.

Public Safety Minister Nina Krieger also plans to meet the family, saying her staff are “actively investigating” options to hold dangerous drivers accountable.

Officials are studying similar legislation in Ontario, known as Andrew’s Law, introduced after a father of three was killed by a speeding driver. That proposal has the backing of Premier Doug Ford and would suspend licences immediately after fatal collisions.

Legal challenges ahead

While the calls for change are growing louder, legal experts warn B.C. must tread carefully.

Defence lawyer Kyla Lee, who specializes in driving law, said imposing automatic suspensions based on suspicion could breach constitutional rights if evidence isn’t yet clear.

“Speeding or dangerous driving isn’t something police can test on the spot,” she said. “If you suspend someone before that’s proven, innocent drivers could lose their licences for months.”

Still, Lee noted the province already has mechanisms to suspend licences through high-risk driving incident reports — and that with careful drafting, Xavier’s Law could strengthen those tools.

A family’s mission

For Xavier’s parents, the fight is about ensuring no other family endures their nightmare.

“He wanted to be an astronaut or play in the NHL,” said Rasul. “Now we just want to make sure something good comes from losing him.”