Mock Car Crash Held at PHS to Combat Distracted and Drunk Driving

Editor’s Note: The following press release was submitted by Region 15.

Teenagers often see and hear about car accidents on television, yet when a young driver sees a friend taken away in a vinyl body bag, this can generate strong emotions from even the most casual observer. That’s the reaction that Pomperaug High School Senior and Southbury Ambulance Association volunteer Emergency Medical Technician, Alex C. hoped his classmates came away with from Friday morning’s mock car crash.

Seven students and one teacher dramatized a two-car automobile accident to show the students at Pomperaug High School the results of distracted or drunk driving.

The mock car crash was coordinated by Alex C., the Pomperaug High School staff, Southbury Ambulance Association, and the Southbury and Middlebury Volunteer Fire Departments. There was no cost associated with staging the event, and Alex, who will be attending Quinnipiac University in the fall as an Entry Level Master’s Physician Assistant student, volunteered over 95 hours of planning. Preparation for the mock crash was comparable to the efforts he successfully demonstrated in 2007 prior to attaining the rank of Eagle Scout.

The school’s 1,400 students, staff, and faculty witnessed the aftermath of the mock crash, where the outcome was a collision between two sedans, due to distracted or drunk driving. The PHS community observed the ensuing rescue efforts by several emergency services personnel.“Every 90 seconds, a teenager gets into a serious car accident in the United States,” said Brian Jones, co-chair of the Southbury Volunteer Fire Department’s Public Education Committee. “That translates to over 400,000 accidents and more than 5,000 teens die in these car accidents. We don’t want you to be one of those teens.”

PHS Junior Brooke W. blew a whistle every minute and a half throughout the demonstration, symbolizing another serious car accident involving a teenager.

Within minutes of Jones’ narration of the event, a Life Star critical care helicopter landed on the PHS softball field, and police officers, fire fighters, and Southbury Ambulance Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) flew into action.

Greg Skelly, PHS Volunteer of the Year, who has taught many EMT classes at the school, explained to the students and staff about the dangers of distracted driving, as they watched the firefighters use the Jaws of Life to extricate the trapped victims.

In front of the hushed crowd, staff from Carpino Funeral Home carried away the two “deceased” students, amidst the grief of their “parents.”

Seniors Molly M. and Mike D. were struck by how impacted they were by the dramatization.

“The mock car crash was very powerful,” said Mike D. “I always think it can never happen to me, but with all the technology that’s available to us today, this really shows me that you just can’t take your eyes off the road.”

The following organizations and individuals helped to make the event a success:

• Southbury Ambulance Association (Assistant Chief Burt Cieply)

• Southbury Volunteer Fireman’s Association (Lt. Fritz Ludwig)

• Southbury Police Department (Officer Rob Bette)

• Middlebury Volunteer Fire Department (Chief Paul Perrotti)

• Carpino Funeral Home (Richard and Denise Carpino)

• Classic Coach Works (Chris Poletti)

• LifeStar Crew

• DNR Productions (Donnie G.)

• Pomperaug High School Principal Lorrie Rodrigue

• Paul Doniger, Theatre Dept.

• Ty Stuyvesant, Video Dept.