‘Project Crash’ at Neptune High School Aims to Save Lives

Eight teens (13-19) die every day in DUI crashes.  Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teens, and about a quarter of fatal crashes involve an underage drinking driver, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NATSA). Fortunately, these accidents are 100%  preventable.

Just ahead of graduation season and summer parties, Neptune Township High School seniors  engaged in ‘Project Crash’ on June 2, a “powerful high school awareness event," to help students avoid becoming a part of this sobering statistic. Several students served as actors to make the demonstration true-to-life.

The Neptune Township Police Department, in partnership with Hackensack Meridian Health (HMH), Neptune Township EMS, and Neptune Special Operations Rescue Station 34-8 presented an interactive mock demonstration to educate students about the consequences of driving impaired or being distracted. Jersey Shore University Medical Center’s (JSUMC) Level 1 Adult & Pediatric Trauma Center’s team prepared a video shown at close of the event. 

"Preventing injuries from impaired driving is a responsibility we all share. As the only Level 1 adult and pediatric trauma center for Monmouth and Ocean counties, we are committed to saving lives by demonstrating the real-world consequences of such choices,” says Amira Johnstone, DNP, MSN, R.N., CNL, CEN, TCRN, NE-BC, director of Patient Care, Trauma and Emergency Services, JSUMC. “Our video portrays the immediate and often tragic aftermath when a patient involved in this type of accident arrives at our trauma center. It shows our dedicated trauma team's efforts to save a life, but also depicts that despite our best efforts, the outcomes are not always positive. By showing these difficult realities, we believe we can prevent these tragedies from happening."

Neptune Township Police Chief Anthony Gualario says, “Our goal is to give students a realistic understanding of the devastating consequences impaired driving can have on individuals, families, and the entire community. By partnering with Jersey Shore UMC and HMH EMS, Neptune High School and Neptune Township Emergency Medical Services, we hope this event encourages students to make safe, responsible decisions and never get behind the wheel while impaired. If even one life is saved because of what students learn, then this effort is worthwhile.”

JSUMC is verified as a Level 1 pediatric trauma center, the first medical center verified in New Jersey, by the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma (ACS COT). This premier Level 1 verification complements the ranking of Jersey Shore’s pediatric facility, K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital - which along with Hackensack Meridian Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital - is ranked #1 in New Jersey in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Children’s Hospital Report, 2025-26 .  For more information about JSUMC Level 1 adult and pediatric trauma center, visit www.hackensackmeridianhealth.org/en/services/trauma-care.