Mock Crash Staged At Blue And Gold Stadium For High School Students

By Eliza Hallabeck

There were 101 driving under the influence (DUI) fatalities in the state of Connecticut in 2007, announcer Jason Edwards told students during Newtown High School’s Mock Crash on Tuesday, May 19.

Students from all four grades at the high school made their way to the Blue & Gold Stadium to witness the mock crash, presented in cooperation by Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company, Newtown Police Department, Newtown Parks and Recreation Department, District Health Coordinator Judy Blanchard, District School Nursing Supervisor Dee Cupole, Newtown Ambulance and Emergency Services, the Newtown High School administrative team, and the Town of Fairfield Police Department, who coordinated a special appearance of Eagle One, a regional search and rescue helicopter.

“This one has involved more community volunteers supporting our school than ever in the past,” said Ms Blanchard. She added that the high school’s mock crash is such a massive event to organize that the high school hosts it only once every four years.

“So that every high school student will see it once during their high school stay,” Ms Blanchard said.

Theater Production 2 students Steve Bonnano, Sarah Poarch, Sarah Hetzer, Connor Hartgraves, and Emily Ashbolt wore staged bloody clothes and make up to help them more accurately portray the part of the victims in the two-car head-on collision.

During the mock crash, one student was arrested, one was flown by helicopter for treatment, and one died.

As Mr Edwards said while announcing the progress during the presentation, the purpose for the event was not only to demonstrate the dangers of driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, but also to show the consequences of all unsafe driving.

After witnessing the mock crash from the safety of the stadium, students were brought back to their homerooms to “process what they have seen and discuss the impact and consequences of reckless or irresponsible driving,” according to Ms Blanchard.

Ms Blanchard also noted that substance abuse counselor Martha Shilstone, school social worker Suzanne Tyler, and school psychologists Jen Hoag and Tom Brant were available throughout the day to help students who might have been emotionally affected by the presentation.

Ms Blanchard said the purpose of an event like a mock crash is to bring awareness on the subject.

“The timing is such to have the most impact for the time of year when our students are at highest risk for the negative consequences of drinking and driving: graduation and summer break,” said Ms Blanchard by email after the event.

Other facts shared with students during the event included that in Connecticut, operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs is a criminal offense; persons are legally intoxicated if their blood alcohol content is .08 or above; and anyone under 21 is legally intoxicated with a .02 blood alcohol content.