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| Students Get First-Hand Look At A Mock DUI Crash |
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| Written by David Grimes | |
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A star football player was arrested for DUI, his girlfriend was killed and best friend scarred for life. That was the scenario played out at Christiansburg High School Friday afternoon, as Shattered Dreams, a MOCK DUI crash drama was presented to the students to remind them of the dangers of drinking and driving.
The program was sponsored by Sherri Blevins of New River Valley Driving School, along with Christiansburg Rescue Squad, Christiansburg Junior Rescue Squad, Christiansburg High School Junior Class Sponsor Eileen Jackson, Students Against Destructive Decision, and media partners WSPK 107.1, Hot 100 and Bear 103.5 radio stations.
“Each year more teenagers and young people die in traffic crashes than from any other cause,” said WSPK’s Scott Stevens, who served as Master of Ceremonies. “In the 15 to 24 year age group, nearly half are alcohol related.”
The realistic drama started off with a 911 call reporting a two-car crash on Independence Boulevard in Christiansburg with injuries. As the Christiansburg Police arrived on the scene, they found the two-car collision, with one of the cars turned on its side. The road and one of the vehicles was littered with beer bottles.
In the overturned vehicle, three victims were trapped inside the car screaming. The second vehicle revealed a young lady lying across the hood; she was thrown through the windshield and died at the scene. The male drive, which was later found to be intoxicated, was able to get out of the vehicle and was walking around. A third victim, another young lady was laying across the trunk, she had injuries to her face and could not see anything.
Rescue and fire workers from the Christiansburg Rescue Squad and Fire Department are working on the injured. They called for Lifeguard 11, which arrived minutes later and landed on the football field.
As rescue worked on the injured, the police department started their investigation. It was determined that the driver was intoxicated and he was placed through a series of field sobriety tests. After failing the tests, he was placed under arrest for DUI.
Montgomery County Commonwealth Attorney Brad Finch told the student crowd as to what charges the driver would face, which included DUI, manslaughter for the death of his girlfriend, along with other charges, including the penalty and prison time he is facing.
The drama closed in a somber moment as a hearse from Horne Funeral Home arrived and placed the young lady in a black body bag, placed her in the hearse and drove off to conclude the very accurate re-enactment.
“If this drama makes a difference for just one person, than we accomplished what this was all about,” said Brad Finch, as looked across the bleachers of about 200 students.
The actors, who are Christiansburg High School students,included Sabrina Cummings, Patrick Asconi, Rebekah Ferrier, Nathan St. Clair, Yvette Martin and Taylor Hauschildt.
Click here to see additional photos from this event in our photo gallery.
Photos by David Grimes
Comments (3)
  written by Sherri Blevins, May 04, 2008
Dear Mr. Grimes,
Thank you for your excellent coverage of our Mock DUI crash. Your story was very positive and focused on all the good we tried to accompolish. Thank you for the video, story and pictures. We greatly appreciate your service. Everyone involved with our presentation is very pleased with your story. Again, thank you!!!!!!! Sherri Blevins report abuse
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| Today's Birthday | |
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Lizzie Borden was tried for the brutal axe murders of her father and stepmother in late 19th century New England. Though she was acquitted, the trial stirred pubic interest, and she was widely believed to be guilty. No one else was ever tried, and Borden was ostracized until her death in 1927. The case's notoriety has endured in American pop culture and is still referenced today. What popular poem helped perpetuate the idea that Borden was guilty?
I hope that this expose' may be used as a training tool; it should not be just another "news-coverage" event; the comprehensiveness is worthy of continued usage. It should be archived by schools and other organizations, and used at will.