Kristy Murrow, PA-C, and owner of Mariposa Aesthetics & Laser Center in Oklahoma City, has built her career helping others. But after her daughter Marissa was killed by an impaired driver, Kristy found herself stepping into a new role—one that no parent ever prepares for: advocating for justice, prevention, and reform.
“Yes, you have a right to drive. You have a right to drink,” Kristy said. “But you do not have a right to do both together.”
Kristy is now a leading force behind legislative and community action to reduce DUI offenses in Oklahoma—and she’s calling on her fellow Physician Associates to help drive meaningful change.
VOID: How One Family’s Tragedy Sparked a Statewide Movement
“The way our story began is all too familiar for too many families…”
On October 3, 2020, Kristy’s 19-year-old bright and beautiful daughter, Marissa, was killed in a head-on collision by a four-time repeat DUI offender.
Since that tragic day, Kristy has become a fierce advocate for change—pressing for common-sense legislation, public accountability, and compassion for victims left behind.
“We had no idea all the immense struggles that awaited us—especially navigating a legal system that so often fails to keep impaired drivers off the road,” Kristy said.
Kristy and her family encountered a legal system that was not only complex, but deeply inadequate in protecting victims and preventing future tragedies.
As they began the painful process of grieving and seeking justice, the Murrow family also began working with state legislators to address the broader systemic failures that allowed Marissa’s death to happen. She is urging lawmakers and fellow citizens to stop treating DUI as a “non-crime”—a behavior excused for far too long, often until it’s too late.
Healing the System: Support for Victims and Families
Through connecting with other families who had experienced similar losses, the Murrow’s founded VOID – Victims of Impaired Drivers. VOID continues to grow as a powerful support network for families of DUI victims by providing court support, a private online community, and guidance through a legal system that often feels overwhelming and impersonal.
“We believe victims’ families are uniquely positioned to lead a movement focused on change and prevention,” Kristy shared. “Our goal is to stop DUI fatalities—and when the unthinkable happens, ensure strong, swift, and consistent enforcement of our laws.”
Through their work with VOID, Kristy and her husband, Jeff, have supported more than 500 families who know the pain of losing someone to DUI. VOID helps victims navigate courtroom proceedings, prepare impact statements, and find strength in shared stories.
“Grieving a loved one lost to a 100% preventable crime is incredibly lonely,” Kristy said. “But for families who have lost a loved one, you’re not alone. We are doing this together.”
The Murrow’s are also exploring plans for a DUI Detention and Rehab Center—a facility that would provide real treatment and monitoring instead of weekend sentences, deferred sentences or short-term consequences.
“Rehabilitation shouldn’t start outside the system—it should start inside it,” Kristy stated. “The goal isn’t just to punish. It’s to prevent the next tragedy. Society cannot continue to mistake leniency for compassion. People assume it’s always an addiction. But offenders are not addicted to driving; that is a decision! And there must be consequences strong enough to deter it.”
“We’ve known what needed to be done for decades. Seat belt laws weren’t popular either—but they saved lives,” Kristy reflected. “If someone had acted sooner, Marissa might still be here. We can’t let another 500 Oklahoma families go through this every year. Not when we can do something now.”
She continued, “This is a public safety crisis. If we treated it like we do secondhand smoke or gun violence, the laws would look very different. This isn’t about punishment alone. It’s about prevention. Real consequences. Real recovery. Real change.”
2025 Legislative Session: Momentum for Meaningful Reform
This year’s 60th Oklahoma Legislative Session marks a critical turning point. With several new bills introduced and momentum building, Kristy and other advocates are working tirelessly to ensure DUI offenders are held accountable—and that tragedies like Marissa’s never happen again. The bills are moving through committees with bipartisan support and focused not only on tougher penalties, but on prevention, accountability, and public safety.
- HB1222 – DUI Bond Bill
Ensures repeat DUI offenders must appear before a judge before being granted bail. - SB54 – Aggravated DUI Bill
Broadens the scope of aggravated DUI to include reckless behaviors such as speeding, wrong-way driving, and more—not just elevated blood alcohol levels. - SB518 – Marijuana Warning Label Bill
Adds driving impairment warnings to all medical marijuana products. - HB2369 – The Marissa Murrow Act
Requires licensed bartenders at public venues serving alcohol during special events—closing a major oversight loophole affecting over 15 million drinks served annually. - HB1933 – Maddix Bias Act
Targets the sale of nitrous oxide canisters, often misused as intoxicants and difficult to detect in DUI cases.
“It Shouldn’t Take a Tragedy”
“I feel broken most days. But what would be worse is asking ourselves 20 years from now—why didn’t we do something? Why did another 500 people die every year when we knew how to stop it? We knew what needed to happen 40 years ago—seat belts, ignition locks, responsible bartending. But we watered down every measure. We don’t need more awareness—we need action, because this did not have to happen.”
A Call to Action from One of Our Own
As the legislative session unfolds, Kristy’s courage and conviction are a powerful reminder that advocacy doesn’t stop at the exam room door. Physician Associates across Oklahoma have the power—and the platform—to help prevent the next senseless loss.
Kristy is calling on colleagues across the state to amplify this movement:
“To my fellow Physician Associates—our voice matters. We are trusted professionals in our communities. Please contact your legislators and ask them to support these bills. You don’t have to testify at the Capitol to make a difference. A phone call or email could save lives.”
Kristy’s story—and Marissa’s legacy—are reminders that advocacy isn’t separate from PAs medical mission. For Oklahoma’s Physician Associates, this is a moment to act, speak, and lead.
Because Stories Change Laws
Data matters—but it’s the stories of real families, real victims, and real loss that move hearts and change laws. Kristy Murrow is turning pain into purpose so that no other parent has to walk the road she’s on.
To learn more about ongoing legislative efforts and how you can help, visit VOIDOK.org.
How You Can Help
- Find and contact your legislator at www.oklegislature.gov
- Join or support VOID through social media or by connecting families who need a safe space
- Share your story – Whether it’s your own or a loved one’s, stories have power—and power can change laws.