LEGISLATURE. YEAH. ACCORDING TO THE OKLAHOMA HIGHWAY SAFETY OFFICE, OVER 200 OKLAHOMANS DIE EACH YEAR IN ALCOHOL RELATED CRASHES. NOW, LEADERS WITH VICTIMS OF IMPAIRED DRIVERS OR VOID SAYING WHILE THE STATISTICS CAN TELL A SIDE OF THE STORY, THE REAL STORY LIES WITH THE VICTIMS. WHAT VOID IS TRYING TO DO IS HONOR VICTIMS AND SUPPORT FAMILIES. FOR CHRISTI AND JEFF MORROW, THIS IS PERSONAL. WITH THEIR DAUGHTER MARISSA BEING KILLED IN 2020, SHE HAD NO IDEA SHE WAS THREE SECONDS AWAY FROM AN IMPAIRED DRIVER TURNING AROUND, GOING THE WRONG WAY ON THE KILPATRICK TURNPIKE AND HITTING HER HEAD ON THE OKLAHOMA HIGHWAY SAFETY OFFICE. LAST DATA COMES FROM 2021, WHERE ALCOHOL RELATED CRASHES KILLED 195 PEOPLE AND 300 PEOPLE DIED OF DRUG RELATED CRASHES MONDAY IN AN EVENT INSIDE THE STATE CAPITOL. THEY HOPE TO SPARK CHANGE IN CONVERSATIONS WITH LAWMAKERS THAT COULD SPONSOR NEW LAWS AND POLICIES TO DECREASE THE NUMBER OF IMPAIRED DRIVERS IN OKLAHOMA, YOU DON’T HAVE TO HAVE HAD THE KNOCK ON THE DOOR OR THE DOORBELL RINGING TO CARE ABOUT THIS. HOPEFULLY, THE PUBLIC COMING WILL SEND THE MESSAGE THAT OKLAHOMANS WANT TO DRIVE ON SAFE ROADS. THE MURDAUGH SAY MORE THAN 50 FAMILIES OF VICTIMS OF IMPAIRED DRIVERS WILL BE IN ATTENDANCE MONDAY. THERE WILL BE TABLES AND DISPLAYS WITH INFORMATION AND STORIES ABOUT THE VICTIMS OF THESE CRIMES TO VOID. IT’S NOT JUST A NUMBER, BUT A MEMORY AND A LEGACY. WE REALLY BELIEVE THAT IF MEANINGFUL CHANGE IS GOING TO HAPPEN LEGISLATIVELY ANY OTHER WAY, IT’S GOING TO BE LED BY VICTIMS FAMILIES, BECAUSE WE’RE THE ONES THAT HAVE BEEN TOUCHED, AND WE’RE THE ONES WHO KNOW THE DEVASTATION THAT’S CAUSED BY THIS. NOW THE EVENT STARTS TOMORROW MORNING AT 930 WITH LEGISLATIVE MEMBERS AND OTHERS GIVING SPEECHES STARTING AT 10 A.M. NOW, THE EVENT IS ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF THE STATE CAPITOL, AND THEY’RE INVITING EVERYBODY OUT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE VICTIMS STORIES AND HELP THEM IN THEIR MISSION. REPORTING LI
Families of victims killed by impaired drivers prepare for first event at Oklahoma state Capitol
The event begins at 9 a.m.
Updated: 7:08 AM CST Feb 19, 2024
More than 50 families of victims of impaired drivers will be at an event inside the Oklahoma state Capitol on Monday, shining a light on their mission. Kristy and Jeff Murrow, the founders of Victims of Impaired Drivers, lost their daughter, Marissa, in 2020. She died after an impaired driver who drove the wrong way down the Kilpatrick Turnpike hit her car. | MORE | Family of woman killed by drunk driver sends message to driversHaving a personal connection, the Murrows and other families who have lived through similar tragedies started the organization to bring actual awareness to these tragedies and to spark change. On Monday, the families will have tables and displays with the victims' stories. They said Oklahomans may hear the numbers and statistics, but hearing stories of those who were neighbors or friends really brings light to the victims and the crime. "We really believe if meaningful change is going to happen legislatively or any other way, it's got to be led by victims' families, because we're the ones who have been touched, and we're the ones who know the devastation that's caused by this," Kristy said. This is VOID's first time holding an event inside the state Capitol. It begins at 9 a.m. with legislative members, as well as representatives from Oklahoma Highway Patrol and Canadian County, giving speeches at 10 a.m. >> Download the KOCO 5 AppThe event isn't just for families. They invited everyone to come learn more about the victims of impaired drivers and help them on their mission. Top Headlines OKC warehouse catches fire, prompting large firefighter response Crews respond to fire at Norman thrift store Oklahoma group calls for end to executions by painting crosses OKC police: Biker crashes as nearly 100 motorcyclists evade officers OU softball team honors Toby Keith with new helmet decal
OKLAHOMA CITY — More than 50 families of victims of impaired drivers will be at an event inside the Oklahoma state Capitol on Monday, shining a light on their mission.
Kristy and Jeff Murrow, the founders of Victims of Impaired Drivers, lost their daughter, Marissa, in 2020. She died after an impaired driver who drove the wrong way down the Kilpatrick Turnpike hit her car.
| MORE | Family of woman killed by drunk driver sends message to drivers
Having a personal connection, the Murrows and other families who have lived through similar tragedies started the organization to bring actual awareness to these tragedies and to spark change.
On Monday, the families will have tables and displays with the victims' stories. They said Oklahomans may hear the numbers and statistics, but hearing stories of those who were neighbors or friends really brings light to the victims and the crime.
"We really believe if meaningful change is going to happen legislatively or any other way, it's got to be led by victims' families, because we're the ones who have been touched, and we're the ones who know the devastation that's caused by this," Kristy said.
This is VOID's first time holding an event inside the state Capitol. It begins at 9 a.m. with legislative members, as well as representatives from Oklahoma Highway Patrol and Canadian County, giving speeches at 10 a.m.
>> Download the KOCO 5 App
The event isn't just for families. They invited everyone to come learn more about the victims of impaired drivers and help them on their mission.
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