18-02-2025
Local nonprofit raises awareness for victims of impaired drivers
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – In 2007, Kimela Tiderman-Alcorn was waiting for her husband, Michael, and her 12-year-old son, Justin to get home from a baseball game.
But, they never made it.
'A drunk driver crossed the median on I-44 and hit them head on and killed both of them instantly,' said Tiderman-Alcorn. 'It was terrible.'
The driver, along with the passenger, were also killed.
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'I don't think there's an excuse for it. Drink and do whatever you want, but don't get behind the wheel of a car,' said Tiderman-Alcorn. 'Honestly, that's the main thing I fight for, is to make something good come out of a bad situation.'
She's one of dozens of families bonded by this unimaginable devastation.
They're part of the nonprofit group VOID: Victims of Impaired Drivers. They spent Monday morning sharing their stories with lawmakers, hoping to get stricter DUI laws in Oklahoma.
'We believe that we must do everything in our power to eradicate impaired driving by creating the strongest deterrence possible. We must stop mistaking leniency for compassion,' said Jeff Murrow, the founder of VOID.
These are the DUI-related bills on the table this session:
HB 1222: Requires a threat assessment seen by a judge prior to bond for 2nd and subsequent DUI charges
HB 2369: Extends ABLE licensed bartender rules and standards to include services provided on unlicensed premises
HB 1933: Prohibits the sale of Nitrous Oxide for any non-medical (recreational) purposes
SB 518: Requires 'medical marijuana' products have a warning label regarding impaired driving, the same as other medications
SB 54: Modify aggravated DUI to include manner of use of the vehicle. Strengthen consequences to discourage recidivism
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Senator Darrell Weaver, R-Moore, is the author of SB 54.
'We're going to put an aggravated offense. We're going to tie some things to the DUI,' said Weaver. 'I can't bring your child back, or your loved one back, or I can't solve your injury today. But one thing I can do is I can take on tomorrow.'
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