Nutley Prepares for "Crash Course"

If you drive by Franklin Avenue, across from the John J. Walker Middle School on Thursday, don't be alarmed.

That's the message coming from Nutley Superintendent of Schools Russell Lazovick.

"It is all under control," he said.

"The crash course will simulate the consequences of a drunken driving accident," Lazowik said. "Students will watch the event, and then be debriefed after."

Students see this every other year, he said, "We always get an incredible feedback from students."

The drunken driving crash simulation entitled “Crash Course in Reality” will be seen by students in front of the Park Oval on Franklin Avenue, across from the Middle School.

Franklin Avenue will be closed between Church Street and Chestnut Street from about 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., according to Commissioner Alphonse Petracco, who directs the Department of Public Safety.

Police are coordinating the program, organized by Nutley High School Student Assistance Counselor Lisa Cassilli.

She said the program is intended to provide valuable insight into the results of driving while intoxicated.

The simulated crash will allow the high school juniors and seniors to witness firsthand the effort to extricate victims, including a fatality, from a crashed car, Cassilli said.

High School students participating will appear bandaged, injured and prepped prior to the accident, she said.

"It is the hope that once the students view the accident with many of their friends involved, they will reconsider adverse behavior while driving, particularly at this time of year with many teen related events occurring, like proms and graduation," Cassilli said.

Nutley has had a chapter of Students Against Destructive Behaviors.

Originally, the mission of S.A.D.D. was to help young people say no to drinking and driving, according to the S.A.A.D. website.  Today the mission has expanded to use positive peer pressure and role modeling to prevent other destructive decisions and set a healthier, safer course for students’ lives, while also combatting teen violence, and teen suicide.

Some statistics from  S.A.D.D. show that students who abuse drugs and alcohol are five times more likely to drop out of school. Students are also more likely to be depressed or have suicidal thoughts, according to the group.

Nutley Fire, Police and Public Works Department personnel, the Nutley Emergency Rescue Squad, the Nutley High SADD, the Municipal Alliance Committee, the Port Authority of NY and NJ, and the Student Assistance Counselors are all making this happen, Cassilli said.

For further information, call Lisa Cassilli at 973-661-8997.