Mock DWI Crash at WJSHS sends a strong message

May 15, 2009

On Friday May 15 at 9:30 Watervliet Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) sponsored a DWI Mock Crash in front of Watervliet Jr./Sr. High School.

Wrecked cars were donated by a salvage yard and placed as though they just collided. Student volunteers Alexandra Van Bergen. Marissa Pownall, Chelsea Compton portrayed the victims and Adrian Blackman was arrested as the “DWI OFFENDER”. The Watervliet City Police Department provided the crash scene investigation, DWI field testing and arrest scenarios. The Watervliet City Fire Department provided fire, rescue, extraction and life support for the victims “injured” in the mock crash.

The event was intense, especially when student victim Alexandra VanBergen was declared dead by the Coroner, placed in a body bag and loaded on to a hearse. Her parents were on hand to lend authenticity to the scene - they played their roles well, sobbing and running to their daughter, having to be restrained by police, and yelling at the DWI offender who caused their daughter's "death." Their performance was extremely effective. "Oh my god I feel so bad for them...do they know this is pretend?" said one student. "My parents would do the same thing - man that would be horrible," said another.

"We hope that this exercise gave students some insight into the seriousness and devastation the loss of life can be to community, friends and family," said Dennis Robinson, health teacher, SADD advisor and  event organizer. "Prom time should make happy memories for years to come, not nightmares that haunt you for a life time. Let's keep everybody safe at the prom this weekend!"

Click here to view a slideshow of the mock crash. Thanks to Mr. Berin for taking some of the pictures!

Thanks to Kevin Angus, Cynthia Ramos, Shaunice Williams, Jesse Lenhert and Sierra Lynch who served as chaperones/ushers at the scene.