Mock crash demonstrates drunken driving dangers

Students at Patterson High School experienced the sights, sounds and emotions of a bystander at a fatal car crash during Wednesday’s mock prom crash demonstration.
As the scenario played out, two staged vehicles portrayed an accident between a group of students drinking as they left prom after-parties and a group of sober students who also attended prom. In the skit, the theatrically made-up students appear bloody and bruised. One student is dead and another is crippled.
Students experience everything from the crash and 911 call to the arrival of first responders, the grief of parents and the funeral home zipping up their classmate in a body bag.
In a news release, St. Mary Parish Sheriff Mark Hebert said, “We want these mock crash demonstrations to make an impact on students. By participating in the presentations, we have the opportunity to heighten awareness of the consequences of impaired driving and distracted driving. As first responders, we understand the devastating effect an actual crash fatality can have on victims, their family, friends, and the community. We hope that by helping to provide these mock crashes, students will never have to experience that first hand.”
The parish’s next mock prom crash will be April 9 at West St. Mary High School. On April 10, Franklin, Centerville and Hanson Memorial high schools will host mock crashes. On April 29, Morgan City and Central Catholic high schools will have mock crashes at the Morgan City Municipal Auditorium and St. Mary Senior Citizens Center, respectively.