Deeper Dives- Why driving in LA is one of the most dangerous things you can do. How Safe Are Westside Streets? A Look at Traffic Collision Injuries in Your Neighborhood. The Most Dangerous Times to Drive in LA. Street Takeovers See Dramatic Rise in 2024, LA County Officials Report. Interview with Marcus Kowal, founder of Liam's Life Foundation. Marcus Kowal is professional MMA fighter, self-defense expert, and activist, who will run the Los Angeles Marathon barefoot—less than two years after undergoing a hip replacement. His mission is to raise awareness and push for stricter drunk driving laws in California by advocating for a lowered BAC limit of .05, a proven change that could save thousands of lives. Marcus lost his 15-month-old son, Liam, in 2016 to a repeat drunk driver. Since then, he has dedicated his life to advocating for stronger DUI laws through Liam’s Life Foundation, a nonprofit he founded in his son’s memory.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
You're listening to KFI AM six forty on demand, I AM.
Speaker 2 (00:08):
Six forty live everywhere on the iHeartRadio app. Tiffany Hobbs
here with you. It's Saturdays with Tiffany, and we're here
until seven o'clock and then Michael Monks comes aboard. At
six thirty. I invite you to make sure you are listening.
We will be talking to Marcus Coval. He is that
marathon runner, mma fighter, all things, but most proud to
(00:31):
be a dad who was on a courageous mission to
bring awareness about what happened to his son Liam almost
one decade ago, and in the pursuit of justice for
his son, Liam is running the La Marathon tomorrow barefoot
and hopes to be able to raise awareness about driving
while drunk and the blood alcohol content level which Liam's foundation,
(00:56):
Liam's Life Foundation is working to lower to point zero
zero two. So we have Marcus on to talk about
all of that at six thirty. Now let's get into
our Deeper Dives segment where we take a deeper look,
more of a look at an issue that is affecting
southern California. And this segment we're going to ask the question,
(01:20):
how safe are your neighborhood streets. Now, statistics show that
crime around Los Angeles as a county is in fact
down major crime. When we're out there, the optics matter,
so you may not feel like crime is in fact down,
And there are many crimes that are up, they have increased.
(01:41):
One of the crimes that's down is luckily murder. Homicide
is down, but something that has been rising steadily is
vehicular homicide. And car crashes overall, be them severe or minor,
due to the conditions on on Los Angeles streets. And
I'm not talking about just potholes or dimly lit intersections
(02:06):
because the copper is gone and there are no street lights.
While those are all factors, this has to do more
with driver error, impairment, speeding, and other factors.
Speaker 3 (02:19):
So let's get into it.
Speaker 2 (02:21):
When you think about driving on LA streets, you might,
like me, immediately start to tense up a bit. If
you've driven, which most of us do because this is
a commuter city, then you've experienced traffic, You've experienced aggressive
driving and drivers. You may have been flipped the bird
(02:42):
or done the bird flipping because someone cut you off
or didn't thank you for letting them merge whatever the case,
driving in Los Angeles is a contact sport, and that's
not a sport that we should be contacting each other,
especially when we're dealing with our vehicles. The last thing
you want to do is have an accident. However, accidents
(03:03):
are increasing, and everywhere you look there are billboards for
accident attorneys personal injury traffic accidents. They're on the back
of buses, they're on the bus benches, or on the billboards.
When you're driving, they are literally everywhere. Because personal injury
due to vehicular crashes again has increased exponentially, and again,
(03:27):
many residents around LA agree that driving has become increasingly
more dangerous. Many can look back to the early days
of the pandemic, of which we are now five years
practically from the start to the day of the COVID
nineteen pandemic. During the lockdown period, of course, the streets
(03:48):
were empty.
Speaker 3 (03:49):
We loved it.
Speaker 2 (03:50):
We were driving if you were driving anywhere within that
twenty minute kind of stereotype about Los Angeles very antiquated
at this that you can get anywhere around LA in
twenty minutes.
Speaker 3 (04:03):
Long gone or those days.
Speaker 2 (04:04):
But during the pandemic there was a resurgence of that
you could get anywhere, and you could get anywhere quickly
and relatively safely because the streets were empty. But as
things opened back up and we returned to normal in
the months after March when the pandemic first began, of course,
traffic was one of the most noticeable increases, one of
(04:26):
the most noticeable returns to normalcy. La is synonymous with traffic,
and now five years later, the statistics for collisions across
the board, in severity, have gone up. In twenty twenty four,
data was collected for certain areas. There are certain areas
(04:48):
around La County that have it really, really bad. They
are considered to be the worst areas for traffic collisions.
And let me tell you a bit about those areas. Now,
pay attention to this because it's likely that you drive
on these roads. If you come to the intersection of
Devonshire and Resita out there in Northridge that has been
(05:11):
flagged as one of the most dangerous intersections in California,
Devonshire and Resita. If you're still out there in the
San Fernando Valley and you find yourself at Balboa and Nordoff,
you are at yet another intersection that tops the lists
due to its wild traffic patterns and frequent congestion. If
(05:34):
you go to Supovida and Sherman Way, yet another valley intersection,
this one sees a lot of commuter traffic. It's a thoroughfare,
and accidents usually occur due to speeding and improper lane changes.
People are trying to get where they want to go.
They're not necessarily doing it safely. If you find yourself
(05:55):
on freeways, which we all do, I'll be hopping on
the one on one shortly to get back to my area.
If you're on the four or five, you are experiencing
the least safe interstate in all of California, arguably in
all of the United States, due to its traffic jams
(06:18):
and accident rates, especially during those peak hours of morning
commutes and your afterwork rush, and those times seem to
have blurred even more so. At first we could really
define what those periods were, your morning commute and traffic,
and your evening commute. But now it seems that traffic
is all day and sometimes all night long. If you
(06:41):
find yourself on the five and you are near San Diego,
the five has been ranked as one of the deadliest
freeways in all of California, and it has seen its
own spike in accidents since the pandemic. If you get
on the one on one like I am, and you're
going through downtown LA, which I fortunately will not be
(07:05):
going through Downtown La, that freeway, the one on one
near downtown the five and the ten interchange, is considered
to be one of the worst freeways for averaging averages
for crashes per mile. It's considered a high risk freeway.
So what factors are contributing to these high accident rates? Again,
(07:28):
you can point to poor lighting in certain areas, perhaps
residential areas. Sure, you can point to potholes after rain, absolutely,
But the main issues are heavy traffic volume, distract it driving, Hello,
distract it driving.
Speaker 3 (07:48):
You look over and you're in traffic.
Speaker 2 (07:49):
Everyone's on their cell phone, everyone's manipulating their screen. There speeding,
everyone thinks they're in the new Vin Diesel movie. We're
all fast and furious, trying to get where we gotta
go right. Driving under the influence, and this is a
touchy topic, and we'll be getting into this more with
our interview with Marcus Coval. But driving under the influence,
(08:13):
whether it is alcohol or whether it's something else, some
other substance. We see lots of young people using alternative substances.
Those issues impair judgment and motor skills like crazy, and
they are very prevalent on our Southern California streets. And
then again lastly, you can point to regular road conditions
(08:35):
that can lead to accidents, inadequate signage again, poor condition
for the roads.
Speaker 3 (08:41):
But overall, there's.
Speaker 2 (08:44):
Been a twenty nine percent increase in traffic accidents since
the pandemic in the last five years, compared to a
twelve percent increase nationwide. So we've more than doubled the
national average for increases in traffic accidents in Los Angeles.
Speaker 3 (09:03):
And there are dangerous times to drive.
Speaker 2 (09:05):
There are situations that are in environments that are more
accident prone than others. I'll tell you when the worst
times to drive are, as well as other factors that
are contributing to our dangerous streets, including street takeovers and
other issues that are plaguing Los Angeles. And some of
(09:28):
the ways in which our city leadership is aiming to
combat what's going on to make our roads safer. We'll
talk about that on the other side of the break.
And then at six point thirty. We have Marcus Colval
coming on, so stay tuned for that.
Speaker 1 (09:42):
You're listening to KFI AM six forty on demand if
I AM.
Speaker 2 (09:48):
Six forty live everywhere on the iHeartRadio app. Tiffany Hobbs
here with you, and we're continuing our Deeper Dives segment
where we take a closer look at an issue that
directly impacting Southern California, California at large, even and this
one specifically deals with the question of why are our
(10:11):
LA streets so unsafe for drivers? And you might be
yelling that answer into your radio, and I understand you.
Speaker 3 (10:21):
I hear you. Stop yelling at me. I hear you.
I know why they're unsafe. You know why they're unsafe.
Speaker 2 (10:27):
We're all on there together, and we see day in
and day out causation.
Speaker 3 (10:32):
We see day in and day.
Speaker 2 (10:33):
Out, poor drivers, bad habits, poor roads, and the like.
So we can all list many of the ways in
which these issues arise. But specifically, when we think about
LA drivers and driving on our LA streets, a lot
of the vehicular issues, a lot of the accidents are
(10:56):
due to driver error, and some any of those errors
can occur during very specific times. I was telling you
where a lot of these accidents take place. Newsflash, Valley people,
You guys have quite a few issues, a lot of
issues at your intersections, your major thoroughfares. But if we
(11:19):
look at the times in which accidents are likely to occur,
then maybe we can kind of avoid some of the
patterns that we might find ourselves in so that we
don't fall victim to these vehicular errors. So what are
some of the more dangerous times to drive in and
around Los Angeles Between seven and ten am? And you
(11:41):
guessed it, four and seven p m. Seven to ten
am and four to seven pm seven to ten am.
Speaker 3 (11:52):
That's morning rush hour.
Speaker 2 (11:54):
Everyone's trying to get to work, they're trying to get
to school, or we're trying to get home from a
late night.
Speaker 3 (11:59):
Whatever it might be.
Speaker 2 (12:01):
Morning rush at hour deals with people who are distracted,
They're moving quickly, they maybe don't maintain a safe following distance,
They're tired, they might be a bit agitated. Who knows.
Many people aren't mourning people. You might not be. Maybe
you are, but driving in the morning trying to get somewhere,
(12:22):
especially if you're running late or something at home has
stressed you out already. Can become a hazardous event. Weekend nights.
That's probably not news to anyone. Weekend nights. Tonight's today's Saturday,
So tonight's a weekend, Friday night, Saturday night, Sunday night.
Those nights are very risky. You have impaired drivers, whether
(12:47):
they're drinking, whether they are doing something else, they're impaired.
Perhaps you have tourists who are out who are trying
to get home to their hotels and they're unfamiliar with
the routes. You might see that. I see that quite
a bit here near the studio. People are coming and
going from Universal Studios. You can tell that it's a
visiting family. They're in a rental car and they don't
(13:09):
know how to merge off the one oh one, and
they almost take everyone out with them because they're just
trying to get over on Barrom. Well, that's a big issue,
and please keep visiting, but be careful. Be careful, of course.
And then you have increased pedestrian activity in entertainment districts.
So if you are near Santa Monica Promenade, you have
(13:32):
all those people out there walking. If you are near
Third Street Promenade, all those people are out there walking
if you are near Santa Monica Pier, you have all
those people up and down PCCh and Ocean who are
just you know, trying to get around and figure out
their way, but they can become a hazard. And then
(13:53):
you have special events and holidays. Well, we have a
special event coming up. Monday is Saint Patrick's Day, and
Saint Patrick's Day is typically associated with what drinking. It's
synonymous with being a drinking holiday. And with all of
that drinking that's occurring throughout the day and evening, not
(14:15):
everyone is getting back into their car. Sober people are driving,
drunk people are driving tipsy. They think they got it,
but they really don't. Uber and Lyft typically offer many specials,
many freebies on these special event days and holidays like
Saint Patrick's Day to try and thwart some of that
(14:36):
dui propensity, but not everyone takes it. And if you're
in an Uber or a Lyft or a way Mo
for that matter, and you get smacked by somebody who's drunk,
you're not in good shape either way. So the best
rule of thumb is, of course, not to go out
and drink.
Speaker 3 (14:55):
Stay at home. Stay at home and drink.
Speaker 2 (14:57):
If you're going to find yourself driving and then and
then there are even more times where issues occur, but
the main times again seven to ten am, four to
seven pm, weekend nights, and these special event days like
Saint Patrick's Day, which is just around the corner. If
(15:18):
you find yourself out on the roads tonight tomorrow, be
very vigilant because you are going to be driving amongst
people who are celebrating, who might be a bit buzz
might be a bit tipsy, whatever it is. And then
you add this next factor in and it just takes
a whole other turn the safety on La streets. That
(15:39):
factor is the street takeover. You know what a street
takeover is is when all those cars show up at
one place and they block an intersection and you find
cars doing tricks donuts, spinning around in circles in the
middle of the intersection while others stand by and watch
or crowd the intersection themselves, putting themselves at arm's way.
(16:01):
But you are now beholden to this spectacle that you
did not sign up for, and until they leave, you
are effectively stuck.
Speaker 3 (16:09):
Well.
Speaker 2 (16:10):
Street takeovers are a huge issue in the city of
Los Angeles, and they have increased sixty four percent since
October sixty four percent. There are hundreds of street takeovers
happening all around Los Angeles, and because they are such
an issue, because they have become such an added hazard,
(16:33):
there are some ways in which the city is hoping
to respond. One such way is offering youth education and prevention.
They're going into the schools and they're talking to students
and they're saying, hey, don't involve yourselves in this activity.
It's an issue. I don't know how successful that is.
You ever talk to teenagers. You probably are a little
(16:54):
cynical yourself, but it is a start. Another thing that's
happening is that law enforcement is looking to enhance their
coordination between agencies and they want to increase penalties for
organizers and spectators and issue even more tickets. They're also
(17:15):
looking into city leadership identifying potentially designated spaces for legal
street racing events. And then lastly, there's a new regional
Task Force on street takeovers that will address what's going on.
They're proposing ordinances to increase fines, expand penalties, and target
spectators and organizers, amongst other things. So there are ways
(17:40):
in which our city is looking to make us safer
but so far not so good. Something that is so
very good is this upcoming conversation that we are going
to have with Marcus Coval. He is a pro MMA fighter,
self defense trainer, activists, and dedicated dad. He's running in
the LA Marathon tomorrow in honor of his son, Liam,
(18:04):
who was unfortunately killed.
Speaker 3 (18:06):
By a drunk driver.
Speaker 2 (18:08):
And we will hear from Marcus Cobal about Liam's life, foundation,
his mission, and what he hopes to come out of
this marathon and all of the publicity for this run
when we come back. I am six forty live everywhere
on the iHeartRadio app. Tiffany Hobbs here with you.
Speaker 1 (18:27):
You're listening to KFI AM six forty on demand.
Speaker 2 (18:32):
Kf I AM six forty Live everywhere on the iHeartRadio app.
It's Saturdays with Tiffany and I am very, very, very
proud and inspired to talk to our next guest. As
thousands of runners prepare for Tomorrow's LA Marathon, there is
one runner in particular who is participating barefoot to push
(18:56):
for stricter drunk driving laws. Professional MMA fighter, self defense
expert and activists, Marcus Coval, will run the LA Marathon
again barefoot less than two years after undergoing a hip replacement.
There are superheroes amongst us.
Speaker 3 (19:18):
Everyone.
Speaker 2 (19:19):
His mission to raise awareness and funds to lower the
legal blood alcohol content limit to point zero five in California,
a change that research shows could save over two thousand
lives per year. In the United States, currently, our blood
(19:40):
alcohol content level is point zero eight, so lowering it
again would have dramatic dramatic results. Coval, a dedicated advocate
against drunk driving. Unfortunately and very sadly lost his fifteen
monthote's son, Liam in twenty sixteen when a repeat offender
(20:06):
hear me again, a repeat offender ran a red light
and struck Liam's stroller. Since then, Coval has committed his
life to fighting for stronger drunk driving laws through the
Liam's Life Foundation, an organization he founded in his son's memory.
(20:27):
Marcus Coval is running the twenty six point two miles
Barefoot Why as a testament to resilience, perseverance, and the
power of pushing through pain for a greater purpose. His
journey mirrors the physical and emotional trials he has endured
since Liam's passing. His goal is to get Liam's Law,
(20:50):
a bill to lower that BAC limit two point zero
five reintroduced in California, a measure supported by the National
Academies of Sciences, Medicine, and Engineering. There are similar laws
across the world in Europe and Australia and even stateside
in Utah, and that those laws have led to dramatic
(21:11):
increases in alcohol related fatalities. Liam's Life Foundation is calling
on supporters to donate, spread awareness, and demand legislative change.
Marcus Coval believes that with enough public support, California can
become the next state and should become the next state
(21:33):
to lead the life saving drunk driving prevention crusade. I
would say this is a crusade in every way. Marcus Coval,
thank you so much for your time and for being
with us here at KFI.
Speaker 4 (21:47):
Thank you so much for having me on. I appreciate it.
Speaker 3 (21:50):
No, thank you again.
Speaker 2 (21:53):
I learned about you through social media as I have
shared that we would be having this conversation, and others
have sent me many posts going back to twenty sixteen
because they recognized your story. After I shared that we
would be talking on Instagram, people remembered what happened. It
(22:14):
really made and left an impact on so many people,
and that nine years later, we are here one day,
just hours before the start of the LA Marathon, which
is yet another goal that you've set for yourself. I
have a question for you, of everything that you do
mma fighting your self defense classes. I was looking at
(22:39):
your social media. You're teaching self defense to so many people.
I plan hopefully to take a class from you of Yes,
of everything that you do and have done, what is
your most rewarding job.
Speaker 4 (22:55):
That's a great question that I've never been asted for.
It's hard to pick one because I know that they
are all important. Teaching people to be empowered, to be
able to stand up not just for themselves, but for others.
From you know, children who have been believed in knowing
that the building the confidence to stand up for oneself
(23:20):
would change the trajectory of their lives, to law enforcement
offices and even military that work with you know able
to go home to their families because of the training
that they've received. So that's the one side on the
self defense side. But self defense starts with awareness and
nothing is more important to me today than saving lives
(23:42):
in Lims in Liam's honors.
Speaker 2 (23:44):
I think that if we were to ask people closest
to you, especially your family. They would cite that your fatherhood,
being a father is most likely the most rewarding job
that they have experienced because your crusade, your mission stems
from your love of family and speaking and in speaking
(24:07):
about family, can you take some time tell us about Liam,
your beautiful boy.
Speaker 4 (24:17):
You know, Liam was fifteen months when we lost him,
and you're right, you know, I've done a lot and nothing,
nothing compares to becoming a father. It changed me as
a as a man and my values and you know,
wanting to make the world a better place for him,
(24:37):
and you know, being someone in the industry that I
am in. If someone would have told me that as
seventy two year old woman was going I take my
son's life, I would never leave them. And that's what happened.
And you know, I'm from Sweden originally and we have
a point zero too vac over there. I wasn't aware
(24:59):
of big of a problem of drunk driving is in
the United States until this, so.
Speaker 3 (25:06):
You know, it's a massive problem.
Speaker 2 (25:08):
It's a massive problem that I think is wept under
the rug way too often.
Speaker 4 (25:15):
It is, it is, and I I've learned that since.
But you know, I I it's hard to to to
understand for anyone who's a parent, when you know, when
what's more important in life in itself is uh is
taken from you? How do you find a way back?
(25:36):
And how can you how can you take that love
that you have and and make something beautiful out of it?
When when when this comes with the most I can't
think of when it worse pain and I've I've endured
a lot of pain as a professional fighter, and none
to lose my son son? Did I learn what real
(25:58):
pain is? And it's not physical pain, mental pain, emotional pain?
Speaker 2 (26:03):
Marcus, I think what you said there, I know what
you said there is extremely profound. How do you find
a way back from tragedy, from some extenuating circumstance that
could have halted everything and instead you found momentum, You
found a purpose And I would like to talk about
that purpose and Liam's Life Foundation if we can, if
(26:27):
you stay with us for one more segment on the
other side of the break, as well as what Liam's
Life Foundation is striving to do through you tomorrow running
in this marathon barefoot, and what you hope to gain
from all of the exposure, the donations and the spotlight
that is now on this cause. Can we continue after
(26:47):
the break? Absolutely, we are talking with Marcus Coval. He's
a professional MMA fighter, a self defense trainer and activist,
a father, and he started a foundation in his son
Liam's honor after Liam was killed by a drunk driver
in twenty sixteen. The crusade that Marcus Coval is on
(27:09):
is nothing short of inspiring. It is it goes beyond
the pale. It defies words. And will continue talking to
Marcus Coval about Liam's live foundation on the other side
when we come back. KFI AM six forty Live everywhere
on the iHeartRadio app. Tiffany Hobbs here with you. Until
seven you're.
Speaker 1 (27:29):
Listening to KFI AM six forty on demand kf I.
Speaker 2 (27:33):
AM six forty Live everywhere on the iHeartRadio app Tifnany
Hobbs here with you for one final segment. Michael Monks
is coming up at seven pm, so stay tuned for that.
And if you've missed any part of tonight's show, please
check it out at KFIAM six forty dot com. Go
to the special features area of the website and this show,
Michael Monks Show, and other shows will be listed right
(27:57):
there and you'll be able to click on it and
hear it in purpose. Hopefully, hopefully we'll live there forever.
We are having just a very moving, a very compassionate,
and very honest conversation with activist, pro mma fighter, self
defense trainer and one hell of a father Marcus Coval
(28:18):
about his son Liam, the Liams Life Foundation, and it's
worked to lower the blood alcohol content level in California
two point zero five and the idea that you are
able to find your way back. That's what Marcus said
to us in the last segment, how he found his
(28:40):
way back after what happened to his son in twenty
and sixteen. What happened to Liam, and Liam is so
much more than what happened to him, and out of
that immen's tragedy, unthinkable tragedy, the Liam's Life Foundation was started.
And through the Liam's Life Foundation, your goal is to
(29:02):
get Liam's Law passed. Can you tell us a bit
about what that law is and any kind of pushback
that you might be having, What how?
Speaker 3 (29:11):
What can we do?
Speaker 4 (29:14):
That's a great question. The Liam's Law is to lower
the legal BAC from point oh eight to point oh five,
something that's been done in more than one hundred countries already,
so we already have the statistics. We know how many
lives that that's going to save. In the United States,
the loses over ten thousand lives a year. That's the
(29:36):
equivalent of a jumbo jet crashing every single week. And
there's few law introductions that come with so much statistics,
that come with so much silence. And not only that,
there's very few laws that can be introduced that both
save lives and save money. Because the American TAXPA is
one hundred and twenty billion dollars a year in drunk
(30:00):
I've been related costs, so we know that it will
lower the amount of fatalities by at least twenty percent,
which in the United States would be on the two
thousand lives a year.
Speaker 2 (30:13):
Wow, those statistics are staggering. You know, they really push
you back when you hear again just how prevalent drunk
driving is and what can be done and how many
people can avoid such a conclusion if only legislation would
be responsive, and Liam Law is hoping to meet that moment.
(30:35):
Liam's Law, I really thank you for really holding the
line in this way and pushing through these propositions so
that you can help people again when you could have
just really sat back and done far less. You are
dedicating your life to helping others and to saving the
(30:55):
lives of others. But I do have a question for you, Marcus,
and humor me. I see that you live in La, right, yes,
so you know how terrible our La streets are. They
are filthy, and you are running barefoot. How does one
train to run barefoot on these La streets?
Speaker 4 (31:18):
You know, I've had people reach out to say, oh,
you know, concern with stepping on syringes on you know,
stepped on gloss And I said, no, no, really, I
was running with someone and then I stepped on glass.
And it's hard to get a piece of glass out
of the I said, once it's in there. But you
(31:39):
have to watch where you step. It's the hardest part
for me. And I've never gone more than I did
twenty miles in a trail, but on asphalts, I've only
gone fifteen miles and you gotta watch your step. And
the hardest thing tomorrow is going to be the soul
of the foots. And you know it'll probably be every
(32:00):
time I ran bare for this God blisters. And part
of this is to show the opposition because yes there
is a position what I'm willing to do, and also
to show people that had a hypoplacement. A lot of
times people give up you know, mobility and fitness and
health because they think we can't come back from it.
(32:21):
So it's to show both for opposition, for others that
I've gone through similar surgeries as well as for myself
just to push through and to keep to show to
myself as well, I'm what I am willing to do.
This is not something that I'm saying might happen. This
will happen. Points zero five will be their federal legal
(32:43):
BSc at some point, and I will not until we
get there.
Speaker 3 (32:48):
Well, I am proud of you in advance.
Speaker 2 (32:50):
I know we've never met, but just talking to your
your heart really really comes out and comes through your
sincerity and again your dedication to your family and specifically
to Liam, and I think that you are an amazing
part of his legacy and why his legacy will continue
to live on and people will know who Liam Corval
(33:12):
is forever because of you. How can people Marcus follow you,
keep up with what you're doing?
Speaker 3 (33:20):
What can they do?
Speaker 2 (33:22):
Can I come out to the marathon tomorrow hold up signs,
give us a little quick, little tidbit.
Speaker 3 (33:26):
How can they find you?
Speaker 4 (33:27):
I would love to see people tomorrow. Always helps to
inspire us a lot. The way go to Liam's Lifestyle
Org the people can donate to with saying or asking
people to donate five four point five we have calculating
it's going to cost us about two hundred thousand dollars
to make Liam's Law, something that has been the goal
(33:52):
and the vision since I was in the hospital when
we thought our son was starting to make it. It
was declared andred and we donate this organst. There's something
that's word to us as well that people stand up
for organization. But that's where they can reach out to
the local politicians. It's important to remember the politicians answer
(34:14):
to us. We're constituents, and by making them understand how
important this bill is, we can get it reintroduced and passed.
Because just in California alone, we lose over two hundred
lives a year because California TAXPA is over twenty billion
dollars a year in tax in don't driving related past
such as productivity, property, legal or medical. And again I
(34:39):
talk about fatalities. We're not even talking about the people
they end up with brain damage, or the people that
end up in a wheelchair, and the families that are
left behind. So you know, for me in many ways,
even though Liam's younger siblings Nico, Luna and Milo is
six months old now, they never got a chance to
meet the older brother. But the true for other bands.
(35:01):
I don't want other bands to ever have to experience
the pain of losing a child. And unfortunately, you know
this disease is and so on and some things that
we can change or step from happening. But these were
kidding favorite stuff tomorrow, So please go to Liam's life
thought or make you follow us on social media as
(35:22):
well at remember Lillam's Life and my personal or Instagram
is Atla mac cobal kow Al.
Speaker 2 (35:31):
Marcus Corvill, thank you so much for being on with us.
I'll make sure to link out your website as well
again so people can donate, follow you and hopefully sign
that petition to get that federal BAC but alcohol content
level lower. Thank you so much, Marcus, and good luck tomorrow.
Speaker 4 (35:49):
Thank you, I appreciate the time.
Speaker 2 (35:50):
You're most welcome. Up next everyone, Michael Monks, so be
here shortly. Have a wonderful weekend. Be safe, enjoy your
Saint Patti's Day in a safe way. Please do not
drink and drive. Call a friend or stay home if
you so. If you so insist on drinking, do not
drink and drive. Let this interview really inspire you and
(36:10):
motivate you to do something different for a change. Have
a great week and a safe weekend. I'll see you
back here next Saturday. Rest in peace to that little eaglet.
It's been a blast. KFI AM six forty I see
you Michael Monks live everywhere on the iHeartRadio app
Speaker 1 (36:26):
KFI AM six forty on demand
You're listening to KFI AM six forty on demand, I AM.
Speaker 2 (00:08):
Six forty live everywhere on the iHeartRadio app. Tiffany Hobbs
here with you. It's Saturdays with Tiffany, and we're here
until seven o'clock and then Michael Monks comes aboard. At
six thirty. I invite you to make sure you are listening.
We will be talking to Marcus Coval. He is that
marathon runner, mma fighter, all things, but most proud to
(00:31):
be a dad who was on a courageous mission to
bring awareness about what happened to his son Liam almost
one decade ago, and in the pursuit of justice for
his son, Liam is running the La Marathon tomorrow barefoot
and hopes to be able to raise awareness about driving
while drunk and the blood alcohol content level which Liam's foundation,
(00:56):
Liam's Life Foundation is working to lower to point zero
zero two. So we have Marcus on to talk about
all of that at six thirty. Now let's get into
our Deeper Dives segment where we take a deeper look,
more of a look at an issue that is affecting
southern California. And this segment we're going to ask the question,
(01:20):
how safe are your neighborhood streets. Now, statistics show that
crime around Los Angeles as a county is in fact
down major crime. When we're out there, the optics matter,
so you may not feel like crime is in fact down,
And there are many crimes that are up, they have increased.
(01:41):
One of the crimes that's down is luckily murder. Homicide
is down, but something that has been rising steadily is
vehicular homicide. And car crashes overall, be them severe or minor,
due to the conditions on on Los Angeles streets. And
I'm not talking about just potholes or dimly lit intersections
(02:06):
because the copper is gone and there are no street lights.
While those are all factors, this has to do more
with driver error, impairment, speeding, and other factors.
Speaker 3 (02:19):
So let's get into it.
Speaker 2 (02:21):
When you think about driving on LA streets, you might,
like me, immediately start to tense up a bit. If
you've driven, which most of us do because this is
a commuter city, then you've experienced traffic, You've experienced aggressive
driving and drivers. You may have been flipped the bird
(02:42):
or done the bird flipping because someone cut you off
or didn't thank you for letting them merge whatever the case,
driving in Los Angeles is a contact sport, and that's
not a sport that we should be contacting each other,
especially when we're dealing with our vehicles. The last thing
you want to do is have an accident. However, accidents
(03:03):
are increasing, and everywhere you look there are billboards for
accident attorneys personal injury traffic accidents. They're on the back
of buses, they're on the bus benches, or on the billboards.
When you're driving, they are literally everywhere. Because personal injury
due to vehicular crashes again has increased exponentially, and again,
(03:27):
many residents around LA agree that driving has become increasingly
more dangerous. Many can look back to the early days
of the pandemic, of which we are now five years
practically from the start to the day of the COVID
nineteen pandemic. During the lockdown period, of course, the streets
(03:48):
were empty.
Speaker 3 (03:49):
We loved it.
Speaker 2 (03:50):
We were driving if you were driving anywhere within that
twenty minute kind of stereotype about Los Angeles very antiquated
at this that you can get anywhere around LA in
twenty minutes.
Speaker 3 (04:03):
Long gone or those days.
Speaker 2 (04:04):
But during the pandemic there was a resurgence of that
you could get anywhere, and you could get anywhere quickly
and relatively safely because the streets were empty. But as
things opened back up and we returned to normal in
the months after March when the pandemic first began, of course,
traffic was one of the most noticeable increases, one of
(04:26):
the most noticeable returns to normalcy. La is synonymous with traffic,
and now five years later, the statistics for collisions across
the board, in severity, have gone up. In twenty twenty four,
data was collected for certain areas. There are certain areas
(04:48):
around La County that have it really, really bad. They
are considered to be the worst areas for traffic collisions.
And let me tell you a bit about those areas. Now,
pay attention to this because it's likely that you drive
on these roads. If you come to the intersection of
Devonshire and Resita out there in Northridge that has been
(05:11):
flagged as one of the most dangerous intersections in California,
Devonshire and Resita. If you're still out there in the
San Fernando Valley and you find yourself at Balboa and Nordoff,
you are at yet another intersection that tops the lists
due to its wild traffic patterns and frequent congestion. If
(05:34):
you go to Supovida and Sherman Way, yet another valley intersection,
this one sees a lot of commuter traffic. It's a thoroughfare,
and accidents usually occur due to speeding and improper lane changes.
People are trying to get where they want to go.
They're not necessarily doing it safely. If you find yourself
(05:55):
on freeways, which we all do, I'll be hopping on
the one on one shortly to get back to my area.
If you're on the four or five, you are experiencing
the least safe interstate in all of California, arguably in
all of the United States, due to its traffic jams
(06:18):
and accident rates, especially during those peak hours of morning
commutes and your afterwork rush, and those times seem to
have blurred even more so. At first we could really
define what those periods were, your morning commute and traffic,
and your evening commute. But now it seems that traffic
is all day and sometimes all night long. If you
(06:41):
find yourself on the five and you are near San Diego,
the five has been ranked as one of the deadliest
freeways in all of California, and it has seen its
own spike in accidents since the pandemic. If you get
on the one on one like I am, and you're
going through downtown LA, which I fortunately will not be
(07:05):
going through Downtown La, that freeway, the one on one
near downtown the five and the ten interchange, is considered
to be one of the worst freeways for averaging averages
for crashes per mile. It's considered a high risk freeway.
So what factors are contributing to these high accident rates? Again,
(07:28):
you can point to poor lighting in certain areas, perhaps
residential areas. Sure, you can point to potholes after rain, absolutely,
But the main issues are heavy traffic volume, distract it driving, Hello,
distract it driving.
Speaker 3 (07:48):
You look over and you're in traffic.
Speaker 2 (07:49):
Everyone's on their cell phone, everyone's manipulating their screen. There speeding,
everyone thinks they're in the new Vin Diesel movie. We're
all fast and furious, trying to get where we gotta
go right. Driving under the influence, and this is a
touchy topic, and we'll be getting into this more with
our interview with Marcus Coval. But driving under the influence,
(08:13):
whether it is alcohol or whether it's something else, some
other substance. We see lots of young people using alternative substances.
Those issues impair judgment and motor skills like crazy, and
they are very prevalent on our Southern California streets. And
then again lastly, you can point to regular road conditions
(08:35):
that can lead to accidents, inadequate signage again, poor condition
for the roads.
Speaker 3 (08:41):
But overall, there's.
Speaker 2 (08:44):
Been a twenty nine percent increase in traffic accidents since
the pandemic in the last five years, compared to a
twelve percent increase nationwide. So we've more than doubled the
national average for increases in traffic accidents in Los Angeles.
Speaker 3 (09:03):
And there are dangerous times to drive.
Speaker 2 (09:05):
There are situations that are in environments that are more
accident prone than others. I'll tell you when the worst
times to drive are, as well as other factors that
are contributing to our dangerous streets, including street takeovers and
other issues that are plaguing Los Angeles. And some of
(09:28):
the ways in which our city leadership is aiming to
combat what's going on to make our roads safer. We'll
talk about that on the other side of the break.
And then at six point thirty. We have Marcus Colval
coming on, so stay tuned for that.
Speaker 1 (09:42):
You're listening to KFI AM six forty on demand if
I AM.
Speaker 2 (09:48):
Six forty live everywhere on the iHeartRadio app. Tiffany Hobbs
here with you, and we're continuing our Deeper Dives segment
where we take a closer look at an issue that
directly impacting Southern California, California at large, even and this
one specifically deals with the question of why are our
(10:11):
LA streets so unsafe for drivers? And you might be
yelling that answer into your radio, and I understand you.
Speaker 3 (10:21):
I hear you. Stop yelling at me. I hear you.
I know why they're unsafe. You know why they're unsafe.
Speaker 2 (10:27):
We're all on there together, and we see day in
and day out causation.
Speaker 3 (10:32):
We see day in and day.
Speaker 2 (10:33):
Out, poor drivers, bad habits, poor roads, and the like.
So we can all list many of the ways in
which these issues arise. But specifically, when we think about
LA drivers and driving on our LA streets, a lot
of the vehicular issues, a lot of the accidents are
(10:56):
due to driver error, and some any of those errors
can occur during very specific times. I was telling you
where a lot of these accidents take place. Newsflash, Valley people,
You guys have quite a few issues, a lot of
issues at your intersections, your major thoroughfares. But if we
(11:19):
look at the times in which accidents are likely to occur,
then maybe we can kind of avoid some of the
patterns that we might find ourselves in so that we
don't fall victim to these vehicular errors. So what are
some of the more dangerous times to drive in and
around Los Angeles Between seven and ten am? And you
(11:41):
guessed it, four and seven p m. Seven to ten
am and four to seven pm seven to ten am.
Speaker 3 (11:52):
That's morning rush hour.
Speaker 2 (11:54):
Everyone's trying to get to work, they're trying to get
to school, or we're trying to get home from a
late night.
Speaker 3 (11:59):
Whatever it might be.
Speaker 2 (12:01):
Morning rush at hour deals with people who are distracted,
They're moving quickly, they maybe don't maintain a safe following distance,
They're tired, they might be a bit agitated. Who knows.
Many people aren't mourning people. You might not be. Maybe
you are, but driving in the morning trying to get somewhere,
(12:22):
especially if you're running late or something at home has
stressed you out already. Can become a hazardous event. Weekend nights.
That's probably not news to anyone. Weekend nights. Tonight's today's Saturday,
So tonight's a weekend, Friday night, Saturday night, Sunday night.
Those nights are very risky. You have impaired drivers, whether
(12:47):
they're drinking, whether they are doing something else, they're impaired.
Perhaps you have tourists who are out who are trying
to get home to their hotels and they're unfamiliar with
the routes. You might see that. I see that quite
a bit here near the studio. People are coming and
going from Universal Studios. You can tell that it's a
visiting family. They're in a rental car and they don't
(13:09):
know how to merge off the one oh one, and
they almost take everyone out with them because they're just
trying to get over on Barrom. Well, that's a big issue,
and please keep visiting, but be careful. Be careful, of course.
And then you have increased pedestrian activity in entertainment districts.
So if you are near Santa Monica Promenade, you have
(13:32):
all those people out there walking. If you are near
Third Street Promenade, all those people are out there walking
if you are near Santa Monica Pier, you have all
those people up and down PCCh and Ocean who are
just you know, trying to get around and figure out
their way, but they can become a hazard. And then
(13:53):
you have special events and holidays. Well, we have a
special event coming up. Monday is Saint Patrick's Day, and
Saint Patrick's Day is typically associated with what drinking. It's
synonymous with being a drinking holiday. And with all of
that drinking that's occurring throughout the day and evening, not
(14:15):
everyone is getting back into their car. Sober people are driving,
drunk people are driving tipsy. They think they got it,
but they really don't. Uber and Lyft typically offer many specials,
many freebies on these special event days and holidays like
Saint Patrick's Day to try and thwart some of that
(14:36):
dui propensity, but not everyone takes it. And if you're
in an Uber or a Lyft or a way Mo
for that matter, and you get smacked by somebody who's drunk,
you're not in good shape either way. So the best
rule of thumb is, of course, not to go out
and drink.
Speaker 3 (14:55):
Stay at home. Stay at home and drink.
Speaker 2 (14:57):
If you're going to find yourself driving and then and
then there are even more times where issues occur, but
the main times again seven to ten am, four to
seven pm, weekend nights, and these special event days like
Saint Patrick's Day, which is just around the corner. If
(15:18):
you find yourself out on the roads tonight tomorrow, be
very vigilant because you are going to be driving amongst
people who are celebrating, who might be a bit buzz
might be a bit tipsy, whatever it is. And then
you add this next factor in and it just takes
a whole other turn the safety on La streets. That
(15:39):
factor is the street takeover. You know what a street
takeover is is when all those cars show up at
one place and they block an intersection and you find
cars doing tricks donuts, spinning around in circles in the
middle of the intersection while others stand by and watch
or crowd the intersection themselves, putting themselves at arm's way.
(16:01):
But you are now beholden to this spectacle that you
did not sign up for, and until they leave, you
are effectively stuck.
Speaker 3 (16:09):
Well.
Speaker 2 (16:10):
Street takeovers are a huge issue in the city of
Los Angeles, and they have increased sixty four percent since
October sixty four percent. There are hundreds of street takeovers
happening all around Los Angeles, and because they are such
an issue, because they have become such an added hazard,
(16:33):
there are some ways in which the city is hoping
to respond. One such way is offering youth education and prevention.
They're going into the schools and they're talking to students
and they're saying, hey, don't involve yourselves in this activity.
It's an issue. I don't know how successful that is.
You ever talk to teenagers. You probably are a little
(16:54):
cynical yourself, but it is a start. Another thing that's
happening is that law enforcement is looking to enhance their
coordination between agencies and they want to increase penalties for
organizers and spectators and issue even more tickets. They're also
(17:15):
looking into city leadership identifying potentially designated spaces for legal
street racing events. And then lastly, there's a new regional
Task Force on street takeovers that will address what's going on.
They're proposing ordinances to increase fines, expand penalties, and target
spectators and organizers, amongst other things. So there are ways
(17:40):
in which our city is looking to make us safer
but so far not so good. Something that is so
very good is this upcoming conversation that we are going
to have with Marcus Coval. He is a pro MMA fighter,
self defense trainer, activists, and dedicated dad. He's running in
the LA Marathon tomorrow in honor of his son, Liam,
(18:04):
who was unfortunately killed.
Speaker 3 (18:06):
By a drunk driver.
Speaker 2 (18:08):
And we will hear from Marcus Cobal about Liam's life, foundation,
his mission, and what he hopes to come out of
this marathon and all of the publicity for this run
when we come back. I am six forty live everywhere
on the iHeartRadio app. Tiffany Hobbs here with you.
Speaker 1 (18:27):
You're listening to KFI AM six forty on demand.
Speaker 2 (18:32):
Kf I AM six forty Live everywhere on the iHeartRadio app.
It's Saturdays with Tiffany and I am very, very, very
proud and inspired to talk to our next guest. As
thousands of runners prepare for Tomorrow's LA Marathon, there is
one runner in particular who is participating barefoot to push
(18:56):
for stricter drunk driving laws. Professional MMA fighter, self defense
expert and activists, Marcus Coval, will run the LA Marathon
again barefoot less than two years after undergoing a hip replacement.
There are superheroes amongst us.
Speaker 3 (19:18):
Everyone.
Speaker 2 (19:19):
His mission to raise awareness and funds to lower the
legal blood alcohol content limit to point zero five in California,
a change that research shows could save over two thousand
lives per year. In the United States, currently, our blood
(19:40):
alcohol content level is point zero eight, so lowering it
again would have dramatic dramatic results. Coval, a dedicated advocate
against drunk driving. Unfortunately and very sadly lost his fifteen
monthote's son, Liam in twenty sixteen when a repeat offender
(20:06):
hear me again, a repeat offender ran a red light
and struck Liam's stroller. Since then, Coval has committed his
life to fighting for stronger drunk driving laws through the
Liam's Life Foundation, an organization he founded in his son's memory.
(20:27):
Marcus Coval is running the twenty six point two miles
Barefoot Why as a testament to resilience, perseverance, and the
power of pushing through pain for a greater purpose. His
journey mirrors the physical and emotional trials he has endured
since Liam's passing. His goal is to get Liam's Law,
(20:50):
a bill to lower that BAC limit two point zero
five reintroduced in California, a measure supported by the National
Academies of Sciences, Medicine, and Engineering. There are similar laws
across the world in Europe and Australia and even stateside
in Utah, and that those laws have led to dramatic
(21:11):
increases in alcohol related fatalities. Liam's Life Foundation is calling
on supporters to donate, spread awareness, and demand legislative change.
Marcus Coval believes that with enough public support, California can
become the next state and should become the next state
(21:33):
to lead the life saving drunk driving prevention crusade. I
would say this is a crusade in every way. Marcus Coval,
thank you so much for your time and for being
with us here at KFI.
Speaker 4 (21:47):
Thank you so much for having me on. I appreciate it.
Speaker 3 (21:50):
No, thank you again.
Speaker 2 (21:53):
I learned about you through social media as I have
shared that we would be having this conversation, and others
have sent me many posts going back to twenty sixteen
because they recognized your story. After I shared that we
would be talking on Instagram, people remembered what happened. It
(22:14):
really made and left an impact on so many people,
and that nine years later, we are here one day,
just hours before the start of the LA Marathon, which
is yet another goal that you've set for yourself. I
have a question for you, of everything that you do
mma fighting your self defense classes. I was looking at
(22:39):
your social media. You're teaching self defense to so many people.
I plan hopefully to take a class from you of Yes,
of everything that you do and have done, what is
your most rewarding job.
Speaker 4 (22:55):
That's a great question that I've never been asted for.
It's hard to pick one because I know that they
are all important. Teaching people to be empowered, to be
able to stand up not just for themselves, but for others.
From you know, children who have been believed in knowing
that the building the confidence to stand up for oneself
(23:20):
would change the trajectory of their lives, to law enforcement
offices and even military that work with you know able
to go home to their families because of the training
that they've received. So that's the one side on the
self defense side. But self defense starts with awareness and
nothing is more important to me today than saving lives
(23:42):
in Lims in Liam's honors.
Speaker 2 (23:44):
I think that if we were to ask people closest
to you, especially your family. They would cite that your fatherhood,
being a father is most likely the most rewarding job
that they have experienced because your crusade, your mission stems
from your love of family and speaking and in speaking
(24:07):
about family, can you take some time tell us about Liam,
your beautiful boy.
Speaker 4 (24:17):
You know, Liam was fifteen months when we lost him,
and you're right, you know, I've done a lot and nothing,
nothing compares to becoming a father. It changed me as
a as a man and my values and you know,
wanting to make the world a better place for him,
(24:37):
and you know, being someone in the industry that I
am in. If someone would have told me that as
seventy two year old woman was going I take my
son's life, I would never leave them. And that's what happened.
And you know, I'm from Sweden originally and we have
a point zero too vac over there. I wasn't aware
(24:59):
of big of a problem of drunk driving is in
the United States until this, so.
Speaker 3 (25:06):
You know, it's a massive problem.
Speaker 2 (25:08):
It's a massive problem that I think is wept under
the rug way too often.
Speaker 4 (25:15):
It is, it is, and I I've learned that since.
But you know, I I it's hard to to to
understand for anyone who's a parent, when you know, when
what's more important in life in itself is uh is
taken from you? How do you find a way back?
(25:36):
And how can you how can you take that love
that you have and and make something beautiful out of it?
When when when this comes with the most I can't
think of when it worse pain and I've I've endured
a lot of pain as a professional fighter, and none
to lose my son son? Did I learn what real
(25:58):
pain is? And it's not physical pain, mental pain, emotional pain?
Speaker 2 (26:03):
Marcus, I think what you said there, I know what
you said there is extremely profound. How do you find
a way back from tragedy, from some extenuating circumstance that
could have halted everything and instead you found momentum, You
found a purpose And I would like to talk about
that purpose and Liam's Life Foundation if we can, if
(26:27):
you stay with us for one more segment on the
other side of the break, as well as what Liam's
Life Foundation is striving to do through you tomorrow running
in this marathon barefoot, and what you hope to gain
from all of the exposure, the donations and the spotlight
that is now on this cause. Can we continue after
(26:47):
the break? Absolutely, we are talking with Marcus Coval. He's
a professional MMA fighter, a self defense trainer and activist,
a father, and he started a foundation in his son
Liam's honor after Liam was killed by a drunk driver
in twenty sixteen. The crusade that Marcus Coval is on
(27:09):
is nothing short of inspiring. It is it goes beyond
the pale. It defies words. And will continue talking to
Marcus Coval about Liam's live foundation on the other side
when we come back. KFI AM six forty Live everywhere
on the iHeartRadio app. Tiffany Hobbs here with you. Until
seven you're.
Speaker 1 (27:29):
Listening to KFI AM six forty on demand kf I.
Speaker 2 (27:33):
AM six forty Live everywhere on the iHeartRadio app Tifnany
Hobbs here with you for one final segment. Michael Monks
is coming up at seven pm, so stay tuned for that.
And if you've missed any part of tonight's show, please
check it out at KFIAM six forty dot com. Go
to the special features area of the website and this show,
Michael Monks Show, and other shows will be listed right
(27:57):
there and you'll be able to click on it and
hear it in purpose. Hopefully, hopefully we'll live there forever.
We are having just a very moving, a very compassionate,
and very honest conversation with activist, pro mma fighter, self
defense trainer and one hell of a father Marcus Coval
(28:18):
about his son Liam, the Liams Life Foundation, and it's
worked to lower the blood alcohol content level in California
two point zero five and the idea that you are
able to find your way back. That's what Marcus said
to us in the last segment, how he found his
(28:40):
way back after what happened to his son in twenty
and sixteen. What happened to Liam, and Liam is so
much more than what happened to him, and out of
that immen's tragedy, unthinkable tragedy, the Liam's Life Foundation was started.
And through the Liam's Life Foundation, your goal is to
(29:02):
get Liam's Law passed. Can you tell us a bit
about what that law is and any kind of pushback
that you might be having, What how?
Speaker 3 (29:11):
What can we do?
Speaker 4 (29:14):
That's a great question. The Liam's Law is to lower
the legal BAC from point oh eight to point oh five,
something that's been done in more than one hundred countries already,
so we already have the statistics. We know how many
lives that that's going to save. In the United States,
the loses over ten thousand lives a year. That's the
(29:36):
equivalent of a jumbo jet crashing every single week. And
there's few law introductions that come with so much statistics,
that come with so much silence. And not only that,
there's very few laws that can be introduced that both
save lives and save money. Because the American TAXPA is
one hundred and twenty billion dollars a year in drunk
(30:00):
I've been related costs, so we know that it will
lower the amount of fatalities by at least twenty percent,
which in the United States would be on the two
thousand lives a year.
Speaker 2 (30:13):
Wow, those statistics are staggering. You know, they really push
you back when you hear again just how prevalent drunk
driving is and what can be done and how many
people can avoid such a conclusion if only legislation would
be responsive, and Liam Law is hoping to meet that moment.
(30:35):
Liam's Law, I really thank you for really holding the
line in this way and pushing through these propositions so
that you can help people again when you could have
just really sat back and done far less. You are
dedicating your life to helping others and to saving the
(30:55):
lives of others. But I do have a question for you, Marcus,
and humor me. I see that you live in La, right, yes,
so you know how terrible our La streets are. They
are filthy, and you are running barefoot. How does one
train to run barefoot on these La streets?
Speaker 4 (31:18):
You know, I've had people reach out to say, oh,
you know, concern with stepping on syringes on you know,
stepped on gloss And I said, no, no, really, I
was running with someone and then I stepped on glass.
And it's hard to get a piece of glass out
of the I said, once it's in there. But you
(31:39):
have to watch where you step. It's the hardest part
for me. And I've never gone more than I did
twenty miles in a trail, but on asphalts, I've only
gone fifteen miles and you gotta watch your step. And
the hardest thing tomorrow is going to be the soul
of the foots. And you know it'll probably be every
(32:00):
time I ran bare for this God blisters. And part
of this is to show the opposition because yes there
is a position what I'm willing to do, and also
to show people that had a hypoplacement. A lot of
times people give up you know, mobility and fitness and
health because they think we can't come back from it.
(32:21):
So it's to show both for opposition, for others that
I've gone through similar surgeries as well as for myself
just to push through and to keep to show to
myself as well, I'm what I am willing to do.
This is not something that I'm saying might happen. This
will happen. Points zero five will be their federal legal
(32:43):
BSc at some point, and I will not until we
get there.
Speaker 3 (32:48):
Well, I am proud of you in advance.
Speaker 2 (32:50):
I know we've never met, but just talking to your
your heart really really comes out and comes through your
sincerity and again your dedication to your family and specifically
to Liam, and I think that you are an amazing
part of his legacy and why his legacy will continue
to live on and people will know who Liam Corval
(33:12):
is forever because of you. How can people Marcus follow you,
keep up with what you're doing?
Speaker 3 (33:20):
What can they do?
Speaker 2 (33:22):
Can I come out to the marathon tomorrow hold up signs,
give us a little quick, little tidbit.
Speaker 3 (33:26):
How can they find you?
Speaker 4 (33:27):
I would love to see people tomorrow. Always helps to
inspire us a lot. The way go to Liam's Lifestyle
Org the people can donate to with saying or asking
people to donate five four point five we have calculating
it's going to cost us about two hundred thousand dollars
to make Liam's Law, something that has been the goal
(33:52):
and the vision since I was in the hospital when
we thought our son was starting to make it. It
was declared andred and we donate this organst. There's something
that's word to us as well that people stand up
for organization. But that's where they can reach out to
the local politicians. It's important to remember the politicians answer
(34:14):
to us. We're constituents, and by making them understand how
important this bill is, we can get it reintroduced and passed.
Because just in California alone, we lose over two hundred
lives a year because California TAXPA is over twenty billion
dollars a year in tax in don't driving related past
such as productivity, property, legal or medical. And again I
(34:39):
talk about fatalities. We're not even talking about the people
they end up with brain damage, or the people that
end up in a wheelchair, and the families that are
left behind. So you know, for me in many ways,
even though Liam's younger siblings Nico, Luna and Milo is
six months old now, they never got a chance to
meet the older brother. But the true for other bands.
(35:01):
I don't want other bands to ever have to experience
the pain of losing a child. And unfortunately, you know
this disease is and so on and some things that
we can change or step from happening. But these were
kidding favorite stuff tomorrow, So please go to Liam's life
thought or make you follow us on social media as
(35:22):
well at remember Lillam's Life and my personal or Instagram
is Atla mac cobal kow Al.
Speaker 2 (35:31):
Marcus Corvill, thank you so much for being on with us.
I'll make sure to link out your website as well
again so people can donate, follow you and hopefully sign
that petition to get that federal BAC but alcohol content
level lower. Thank you so much, Marcus, and good luck tomorrow.
Speaker 4 (35:49):
Thank you, I appreciate the time.
Speaker 2 (35:50):
You're most welcome. Up next everyone, Michael Monks, so be
here shortly. Have a wonderful weekend. Be safe, enjoy your
Saint Patti's Day in a safe way. Please do not
drink and drive. Call a friend or stay home if
you so. If you so insist on drinking, do not
drink and drive. Let this interview really inspire you and
(36:10):
motivate you to do something different for a change. Have
a great week and a safe weekend. I'll see you
back here next Saturday. Rest in peace to that little eaglet.
It's been a blast. KFI AM six forty I see
you Michael Monks live everywhere on the iHeartRadio app
Speaker 1 (36:26):
KFI AM six forty on demand
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