Put Ortiz in jail

The judicial system, generous neighbors and a grieving family showed Sonia Ortiz compassion after the unlicensed driver was involved in an accident that killed a West Palm Beach police officer. Last week, she squandered that second chance.

A Palm Beach County sheriff's deputy arrested Ortiz for again driving without a license after she dropped off her children at Westgate Elementary School. Officials at the school complained to deputy Robert Drake that Ortiz also had been speeding through the parking lot and had no seat belts on her children. The deputy said he saw an improper lane change. Not only was Ortiz violating her probation, she still was putting others at risk.

In October 2003, Ortiz pulled in front of motorcycle officer Thomas Morash on South Dixie Highway, killing him at the scene. She faced seven years in prison but received six months' house arrest and 18 months' probation that included no driving privileges. Merchants who had complained about the dangerous intersection collected several thousand dollars to support the young mother who was pregnant with her fourth child. The Morash family -- he lived in Port St. Lucie -- set aside their anguish and agreed to the lenient plea deal.

Ortiz, 25, will appear in court today on the new charges, and prosecutors could argue for that seven-year sentence. Clearly, jail or prison time is warranted. Ortiz's conduct insults the many people who asked the system to give her a break. The sister who gave her the van bears a share of the blame. Claiming that Ortiz had no other way to get her children to school is a lame cover story that excuses nothing. Other families make do without endangering public safety.

Whatever the sentence, prosecutors also should ask that Ortiz never be allowed to have a license. The roads are dangerous enough.