Le Roy Jr./ Sr. High School held its third DWI drill to make students think twice before stepping behind the wheel drunk.
The drunken driving simulation emphasized the consequences of a two-vehicle accident that involved six high school students. In the simulation, the driver of a Chevy Suburban was intoxicated and responsible for crashing into a Chevy pickup truck. The student in the passenger side of the Suburban died from injuries sustained and one of the students in the back seat suffered critical injuries. The other three students involved in the crash had minor injuries.
The Genesee County Sheriff's Office, Le Roy Police Department, Le Roy Fire Department, Stafford Fire Department, Mercy Flight and the Genesee County Coroner participated in the simulation. Deputies from the Sheriff's Office and Le Roy police went through the process of administering sobriety tests. Le Roy firefighters demonstrated auto extrication to get the passengers out of both of the vehicles. Stafford firefighters set up an emergency landing zone in the parking lot for Mercy Flight so the passenger in critical condition could be flown out.
The drill takes place every two years at different high schools in Genesee County so all the juniors and seniors witness the simulation at least one time.
Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Chris Parker hopes today's simulation will influence students to question the offense and make good decisions.
"In the past, there have been crashes where kids have been killed on prom night in Elba and Oakfield," Parker said. "The worst part of my job is to notify a parent a child has died."
Detective John Condidorio, from the Le Roy Police Department, wants to make young adults aware of the consequences of drunk driving. Drunk drivers can face jail time, fines and probation. The consequences go beyond the charges as well.
"How is the driver going to deal with the fact that he kill his best friend or sister?" Condidorio asked. "The emotional toll is something that will long surpass jail time."
Jerry Diskin, past Le Roy fire chief, thought the simulation had a good turnout and educational presentation.
"It's important for kids to know the consequences of drunk driving and witness a crash because it's an important lesson you don't learn in school," Diskin said. "I hope it will stop accidents from happening in the near future."
Tim Hogle, assistant Le Roy fire chief, hopes the students realize the seriousness of drunk driving so he doesn't get called out for a crash for Le Roy's prom tomorrow night. To deter drunk driving, faculty will be randomly breathalyzing students at the prom.
Students participating were Tom Wood, Brian Hodges, Ashley Swartzenburg, Haley Steen, Emily McVicker and Karl Ehrhart.
Le Roy Ambulance service also participated.
Photos by Howard Owens.
