Midland Man Discusses Daughter's Death at Fire Extinguisher Bill Hearing in Austin

Nearly two years after learning that his daughter Ariel died in a fiery car crash and that police fire extinguishers weren't able to put out the fire because they were out of date, Midlander Richard Corley, finally had a chance to tell his story before an audience at the State Capitol.

Wednesday, Corley spoke in support of Tom Craddick's House Bill 564, which proposes mandatory fire extinguisher maintenance and inspections each year for extinguishers in government vehicles statewide.

"They felt the same way I did, when they found out from you in fact that there were no rules governing anything that the police had to do with those fire extinguishers", says Corley.

With Craddick hospitalized Wednesday, Representative Phil King of Weatherford, introduced the bill to the Urban Affairs Committee. King, a former police officer, says the bill just makes sense.

Beau Berman: "Does HB 564 have your support?"

"Oh absolutely. It makes a lot of sense. It's kind of silly that we have to do that. It should already be a procedure", says King.

King even told a story before the Urban Affairs Committee about an instance during his years behind the badge when his portable fire extinguisher didn't work and nearly cost a life.

State Fire Marshal, Ed Salazar, was grilled by the Urban Affairs Committee members who could not understand how mandatory vehicle fire extinguisher maintenance isn't already a law.

He agreed, saying it doesn't make sense and said he supports the new bill.

Ariel's older sister Ashley became emotional as she addressed the committee about her sister's death and what she believes prevented her from seeing Ariel one last time at her burial.

Ashley learned Wednesday from the committee, that House Bill 564, will likely be known as the "Ariel Corley Law".

"They didn't even know. They didn't even know that this law didn't exist until now", says Ariel's older sister, Ashley.

Committee Chairman, Harold V. Dutton Jr. got the message from the Corley's testimony. Dutton asked the question, "If a fire extinguisher doesn't work, is it really a fire extinguisher?".

Richard Corley has been asking that same question since the night Ariel passed away in 2009.

Finally, lawmakers are listening.

"The journey has been a long and hard road. Everyday you think about your daughter", says Mr. Corley.

Further information on whether House Bill 564 "The Ariel Corley Law" will go to a House Vote should be coming next week.

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• Richard Corley
• Ariel Corley
• firey car crash
• Ariel Corley Law
• House Bill 564