It's been almost a year since the tragic death of Mustang High School student Zach Doran, who collapsed while mixed martial arts sparring at a private gym. The gym did not have a crucial life-saving device. Now, Doran's father and a state lawmaker are pushing to change that. "Dang, that caught me off guard," Jason Doran said. It's an emotional subject for the Mustang coach who lost his son last year. "Man, Zach was the young man that would walk into a room and light the room up," Jason said. Zach was an 18-year-old Mustang student who was months away from graduation. He excelled on the football field, but something happened during some MMA sparring on March 3, 2024. "He basically overexerted himself and he collapsed," Jason said. The 18-year-old was at a private gym. Someone at the gym called his dad who, with his coaching expertise, gave orders. Video Below: Students selling bracelets to honor Mustang teacher's son after his death. Click here to learn more. "I told them while they were on the phone, make sure they're doing compressions, make sure someone goes and gets the AED, and make sure that someone is calling 911," Jason said. But the gym didn't have an automated external defibrillator. "We don't know if it would have made a difference, but you always have a better chance," Jason said. For the past year, Zach's dad has pushed for AEDs at private gyms. He's even worked with organizations across the Oklahoma City metro to raise money and donate 16 AEDs to various gyms across the metro and Chickasha. Now, Jason wants it to be state law to require private gyms to have one in the facility. "This is just one more thing that can help save someone's life and not have to go through the grief process or the things we've had to go through," Jason said. Video Below: Mustang students donate $2,000 to heart research following 18-year-old's death. Click here to learn more. State Rep. Brian Hill is pushing House Bill 2379, which is named The Doran Act, into the Capitol. "We already require by law that they are on public school campuses, fitness facilities and gyms. We want to make sure that we're looking at that same type of thing for the private industry as well," Hill, R-Mustang, said. "Their lives are worth it for the cost, especially, and I think we can do better." The bill is set to have its first hearing on Monday in the House of Representatives committee on business. Top Headlines The OKANA Resort & Waterpark is about to open. Check out what you need to know before going WATCH: Large flames spark near car salvage yard in southwest Oklahoma City Oklahoma lawmaker sues Gov. Kevin Stitt over executive order ending remote work for state employees Driving tour journeys through Harriet Tubman's life, legacy in Maryland ODOC inmate who walked away from Oklahoma City facility captured after weeklong search
It's been almost a year since the tragic death of Mustang High School student Zach Doran, who collapsed while mixed martial arts sparring at a private gym.
The gym did not have a crucial life-saving device. Now, Doran's father and a state lawmaker are pushing to change that.
"Dang, that caught me off guard," Jason Doran said.
It's an emotional subject for the Mustang coach who lost his son last year.
"Man, Zach was the young man that would walk into a room and light the room up," Jason said.
Zach was an 18-year-old Mustang student who was months away from graduation. He excelled on the football field, but something happened during some MMA sparring on March 3, 2024.
"He basically overexerted himself and he collapsed," Jason said.
The 18-year-old was at a private gym. Someone at the gym called his dad who, with his coaching expertise, gave orders.
Video Below: Students selling bracelets to honor Mustang teacher's son after his death. Click here to learn more.
"I told them while they were on the phone, make sure they're doing compressions, make sure someone goes and gets the AED, and make sure that someone is calling 911," Jason said.
But the gym didn't have an automated external defibrillator.
"We don't know if it would have made a difference, but you always have a better chance," Jason said.
For the past year, Zach's dad has pushed for AEDs at private gyms. He's even worked with organizations across the Oklahoma City metro to raise money and donate 16 AEDs to various gyms across the metro and Chickasha.
Now, Jason wants it to be state law to require private gyms to have one in the facility.
"This is just one more thing that can help save someone's life and not have to go through the grief process or the things we've had to go through," Jason said.
Video Below: Mustang students donate $2,000 to heart research following 18-year-old's death. Click here to learn more.
State Rep. Brian Hill is pushing House Bill 2379, which is named The Doran Act, into the Capitol.
"We already require by law that they are on public school campuses, fitness facilities and gyms. We want to make sure that we're looking at that same type of thing for the private industry as well," Hill, R-Mustang, said. "Their lives are worth it for the cost, especially, and I think we can do better."
The bill is set to have its first hearing on Monday in the House of Representatives committee on business.
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