UPDATED: 5:35 pm EST March 5, 2008

HARTFORD, Conn. -- Connecticut residents are drawing from personal experience in their support a bill to toughen the laws governing teenage drivers.

Dana Drysdale lost her 15-year-old sister, Tamara Corea, five months ago to a fatal car crash. Corea got into a car being driven by the older brother of her friend Jessica Apruzzese.

The driver of the car was Anthony Apruzzese. Channel 3 Eyewitness News has learned that prior the accident, Anthony Apruzzese, 17, had been caught speeding and had gotten his license back after a crash he caused while driving under the influence of alcohol.

However, Apruzzese drove recklessly again, while his sister and her friend were in the vehicle, officials said

He crashed into a truck, while speeding. All three teenagers were killed instantly, officials said. Mike Bosco was a friend of Anthony Apruzzese.

"We need to change this current law. It's up to you guys to do it," said Bosco to lawmakers.

The proposed bill aims to place tougher penalties on teen drivers who break the law. Under the bill, if a teen driver is convicted of driving while under the influence of liquor, they would lose their license until they are 21 years old.

In addition, if a teen driver gets a speeding ticket, there would be an automatic license suspension. The first ticket would result in losing his or her license for 45 days. The bill also calls for more training hours and parental supervision of teenage drivers. One Connecticut residents shared her tragic story with Eyewitness News.

"I am lucky I walk with a cane now, but I had femurs broken in both legs," said Debra Lehman, who became disabled after a crash caused by a teen driver. "We are sick and tired of hearing about it. What about the poor people, the ones who are in the other car."