High school students received an up close and personal look at the realities of the physical and emotional damages of drunk driving last Wednesday morning at West Stanly High School.
Safe Kids Stanly County and SART conducted a mock car crash with the assistance of students from the West Stanly Players, along with local fire departments, EMTs, and police from the county. The event was funded through the Albemarle ABC Board in an effort to open the eyes of underage students about the dangers of drinking and driving.
Mock car crashes are held at high schools across the nation, usually the week before prom. In the past years, Albemarle, South Stanly, and North Stanly high schools have participated along with Gray Stone Day School in mock car crashes.
Judge William “Bill” C. Tucker gave a moving talk to the students after the demonstration was completed about the death of his own son in a driving accident when he was 22 years old. Tucker urged the students to think about their actions before they take them.
“It is an important thing for me. Because of the loss of my son who was 22. Things like this have a big impact one me. I just hope they [the students] take something away from this event,” said Tucker while scanning his eyes over the crowd of students taking a closer look at the accidents and “victims.”
The West Stanly Players helped with the event with theatric displays of emotion and regret as they acted out the wreck scenes. Two students played dead while the others ran around panicking and waiting for the police to arrive.
“A year ago my aunt and cousin were hit by a drunk driver. My mom was the first person on site and being here is hard for her. This is an extreme eye opener. When you drive and everyone around you is subject to your decisions, it’s a big thing,” said Della Garrell, a senior at West and participant in the event.
Gregory Hewett and his team of make-up artists and screenwriters did the special effects make-up for the event from GregoryFX, a company that specializes in horror make-up.
Daniel Jenkins, a junior, played the drunk driver responsible for the accident. After the event was over he said, “It’s hard to do something like this because I feel like a lot of teenagers now a days don’t take it seriously, so to be out here takes a lot of work. I am happy to be a part of it though.”
