PITTSFIELD — Pittsfield High School students were given an out-of-classroom lesson Wednesday on the dangers of such things as drunken driving or texting while driving, watching as classmates portrayed accident victims in a demonstration by sheriff’s department officials, firefighters and medical personnel.
In preparation for prom this weekend, faculty members worked with emergency responders to stage a mock accident scene.
Five students were in a vehicle “wrecked” because the driver was texting and driving and alcohol was found in the car.
Principal Angie Gregor said students sometimes do not realize the major consequences of their actions and she wanted them to be safe while driving, especially during prom weekend.
One student was “killed,” three had to be taken to the hospital — one by air — and one was “arrested.”
“The whole school watched as the students had to be extracted and one was given a field sobriety test,” Gregor said.
Junior Maddie Palmer, who portrayed a student who died, said even though she knew it wasn’t real, it was scary — especially because she had to have her eyes closed and didn’t know what was going on.
She said it was even scarier knowing such things actually happen.
“I hope they take it seriously,” Palmer said. “Stuff like that really happens.”
While the scene was just a demonstration, Gregor said several students could feel the emotions a real accident scene can bring.
“Something like this is very upsetting,” Gregor said. “It hit home and hopefully now they will think twice about texting or drinking and driving.”
Sophomore Eli Ten Eyck said the worst part for him was his dad, Michael Ten Eyck, was at the mock accident as well.
While Ten Eyck was being extracted, his father was banging on the windows, yelling and asking him if he and the others were OK.
“I almost cried, even though it wasn’t real. It felt awful and I would never want to put my parents through something like that for real,” he said.
Gregor said while the students could see the immediate impact, such as the injuries and arrest, she said she hopes they understand the lasting impact as well — the loss of life, long-term effects of injuries and what a felony would have on the lives of others.
“[Someone arrested] would spend a minimum of five years in jail and likely never own anything again, because the victims’ parents would likely sue him. We want them to recognize the reaching consequences,” Gregor said. “This is not just a moment or one day, but will have a impact for the rest of your life.”
That’s a sentiment that Thomas Hull, a junior, shared. Hull acted the part of a student who was arrested.
“This shows us that we’re not invincible, that we can’t go out and party all the time and do whatever we want and not expect the consequences,” Hull said.
