Family of UCO student killed by alleged drunk driver files suit against multiple parties involved in event before wrong-way crash

CANADIAN COUNTY, Okla. (KFOR) – The household of a 19-year-old College of Central Oklahoma scholar killed in an alleged drunk driving crash is now suing a number of events they are saying are accountable for the occasions resulting in the deadly wrong-way crash.

Marissa Murrow was killed in early October 2023 when Oklahoma Freeway Patrol troopers say alleged drunk driver, Malcolm Penney was driving the improper approach on the Kilpatrick Turnpike and crashed into her head-on.

Shortly after midnight on Oct. 3, emergency crews had been known as to a crash on the Kilpatrick Turnpike, simply north of S.W. fifteenth St. in Oklahoma Metropolis.

Investigators say 19-year-old Marissa Murrow was driving a 2014 Ford Focus southbound on the Kilpatrick when she hit head-on by a driver touring the improper path.

Officers with the Oklahoma Freeway Patrol say 39-year-old Malcolm Penney was touring northbound within the southbound lanes of the turnpike when he hit Murrow’s car.

Murrow was rushed to a close-by hospital the place she later died from her accidents.

Authorities say they detected an odor of alcohol on Penney and consider alcohol could have performed a task within the crash.

Murrow’s cousin, Kaitlyn Kennedy, described her as a pushed younger lady, a cheer competitor, and wrestling group supervisor. A UCO scholar and Sigma Kappa sorority sister with many aspirations, together with a plan to show particular training. Gifted and charming, she was beloved by many.

“She was a really sturdy individual each emotionally and mentally. She at all times persevered by means of any impediment that was offered to her,” Kennedy mentioned. “She was very variety and he or she used the love of god to indicate that kindness.”

Now, Marissa’s dad and mom are suing Malcolm Penney, Malcolm’s spouse Amanda Penney, The Springs Occasions LLC, Weathercoat Safety, and Café 501 LLC for his or her alleged roles within the occasions main as much as the wrong-way crash that killed her.

In line with the paperwork, Malcolm Penney consumed alcohol for almost 10 hours whereas attending an occasion at The Springs venue and was “visibly intoxicated when he left” the celebration.

The go well with goes on to say Malcolm Penney’s blood examined for twice the authorized restrict for blood-alcohol content material a number of hours after the crash.

The paperwork additionally web site 4 earlier drunk driving offenses the place Penney was discovered responsible.

As for Malcolm’s spouse, Amanda, the data say, “Defendant Amanda Penney knew, or fairly ought to have identified, the Defendant Malcolm Penney was or seemingly could be intoxicated, incompetent, and never able to safely working a motorized vehicle in the course of the time interval Defendant Malcolm Penney was permitted to make use of her motorized vehicle.”

In line with the go well with, the Penneys had been attending a marriage at The Springs with Café 501 serving as caterer and Weathercoat Safety working as contracted guards.

The submitting claims all three entities have alcohol insurance policies in place to forestall the occasions resulting in Marissa’s demise.

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Additionally at present, Malcolm Penney pleaded not responsible to second-degree homicide and leaving the scene of a deadly accident.

Jeff Murrow, Marissa’s father, instructed KFOR that he was disillusioned that Penney didn’t settle for accountability for the crash.

“I assume we had some hope that he would take some accountability for what he did, however I don’t know why we felt that approach as a result of that’s not his historical past,” Jeff Murrow mentioned.

Jeff mentioned that it has been an extended journey since his daughter’s demise, however they are going to proceed to struggle for justice.

“We’re gonna do proper by our daughter. We’re gonna be right here each minute after which hopefully when that is over, we are able to do one thing that may assist another person,” mentioned Jeff Murrow.