Hundreds Support Murrays, Activists' Drive to Take Calli's Law to Capitol

It all started here in Rohnert Park. That’s what a band of local activists said yesterday at the Fabulous Women fundraiser for Ling and Jeff Murray, whose two-year-old daughter, Calli, was killed Dec. 1.

Ling and Calli were walking through a crosswalk at the intersection of Medical Center Drive and Snyder Lane when Kaitlyn Dunaway, 18, as they left Sunrise Park in the early evening hours. Police have confirmed that Dunaway was texting when she hit them.

That tragic accident has hit the hearts of thousands of Sonoma County citizens, who have since to take the message of no texting and driving to the capitol. They’re calling it “Calli’s Law,” and the goal is to get lawmakers and police to listen — to increase the meager $20 fine to at least $1,000. That’s what they said it would take to get them personally to abide by the law.

Though the jam-packed fundraiser at  Sunday was meant to raise money for the Murrays’ medical expenses, the underlying goal was to spur awareness about the dangers of using cell phones while behind the wheel.

No one has the exact numbers, but best estimates put the number at 500 for the number of people that came out. It was standing room only as lines snaked around outside the event center; and people stood three-deep to sign petitions vowing they would staff off their phones while driving.

The petition read, “In memory of Calli Ann Murray, I pledge not to text while operating a motor vehicle. Beginning right now, I will do my part to help put an end to distracted driving by committing to drive as responsibly as I can.”

Christal Barquero, a driver who witnessed the accident, has spearheaded the campaign.

“As a community member, I need to step up to the plate,” Barquero said. “It’s about all of us working together.”

Nearby, Rohnert Park resident Ilia Dini signed the pledge vowing not to text and drive.

“I think it’s awful a little girl died because of texting,” Dini said. “I want to help get Calli’s Law enacted.”

“On the back of our shirts, we have ‘distracted driving kills,’” Jeff Murray said. “I’m not going to joke around, I’m not going to candy coat it — it’s a serious issue. If we don’t start it with the people, we can’t expect the law enforcement to cover everything they do.”

“We have to start it with everyone at this event today,” Murray said.

Murray, who with his wife Ling, was surrounded by 300 people easy, spoke candidly about what it’s been like since the accident.

“Many people ask how do you get through this, I don’t know what I would do in your situation, I don’t know how to handle this,” Murray said. “This is how we handle it:  Look at you [helping us].”

Fabulous Women

Members of the Petaluma-based charity Fabulous Women said they can’t even begin to count how much money they’ve taken in for the Murrays, but event organizers say it's likely more than $22,000.

“People are just throwing money at us,” said Karen McEntee, a Fabulous Women member, as she held up a handful of $5, $10 and $20 bills. Then she opened up the cashier’s box. It brimmed with stacks of checks, and was almost filled to the top with money. And that the fundraiser had just began.

“I think this is going to be our largest donation yet,” said Fabulous Woman Kerry Peachey. “I can’t count how much this is, it’s been so amazing.”

Meanwhile, the Petaluma-based school group “It’s Nice to Be Nice,” rotated pan after pan of homemade cupcakes, cookies and cakes for a bake sale they organized.

“My class of fifth and sixth graders immediately said they wanted to do something to help the Murrays,” said Ani Larson, a teacher at Corona Creek Elementary in Petaluma. “Before the event even started today, my kids raised $5,000 for the family.”

The class also started a website for Ling and Jeff, created “no texting and driving” thumb bands to serve as a visual reminder every time a person picks up the phone while driving to put it down, organized the bake sale and created art to auction off at the end of the day.

 “It’s really sad that [Calli] died, and we wanted to help,” said Makenna Mattel, 11, and Julya Kinahan, 11, who are in Mrs. Larson’s class, almost simultaneously. 

Ling Stands Up

Ling, who has metal plates and pins holding together the left side of her body, stood up to thank the community Sunday. 

“We love you,” she said.

Ling walked about 400 feet last week — those were the first steps she's taken since the accident. But she's staying strong, she said.

"No matter what, I have to keep trying," she said last week.

“I did my best to prepare Ling, to try to tell her how well the community is out there to support us,” Murray said. “It’s just incredible; every day is a new healing day, and we couldn’t be here today without the love and the support of everyone here.”

Ling choked back tears when the first responders to the accident, from Rohnert Park Public Safety, came to give her a hug.

“In our line of business, it’s rare to get to see the people we help,” said public safety officer David Sutter. “It’s hard seeing pictures of Calli because it’s a visual reminder of a day I think many of us want to forget.”

“To see her that night, and to see her now is pretty amazing,” said officer Rob Sagan. “But it’s tough seeing pictures of Calli.”

For Krista Gawronski, the one who started Fabulous Women, the day was a success.

“When you have such a tragic loss like this, it really should spark some sort of personal reflection," she said. "We're here to spread the message; today’s message is no texting and driving.”

Editor's note: The Calli Ann Murray fundraiser was made possible by the hundreds of people and organizations who donated their time and money. Gerard Giudice from Sally Tomatoes hosted the event free of charge, and Wonderbread 5 played for free as well.

Don't forget to watch the video from event, shown at the right.