Mock crash shows NS students sobering impacts of distracted, impaired driving
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL - A member of Ashland's Washington Ambulance checks on a 'victim' during Monday's mock crash at North Schuylkill High School. This victim was 'pronounced dead' at the scene.
Editor’s Note: Some may find the photos in this article disturbing or distressing, though that is the point. This exercise was intended as a sobering reminder of the potential impacts of impaired or distracted driving and this article’s visuals are presented with the same aim.
FOUNTAIN SPRINGS – One week before prom at North Schuylkill High School. Two vehicles collide, ones rolls, and the teen driver is ejected. He’s pronounced dead at the scene. The teen driver of the other vehicle is taken into custody under suspicion of DUI while his passengers are rescued by local first responders.
This all played out as dozens of North Schuylkill students watched, many of whom are going to prom.
North Schuylkill staffers say the exercise was part of their efforts to raise awareness around safe decision-making ahead of the rite-of-passage, to prevent the exercise from becoming a reality.
What students saw was about as real as can be, from radio communications to rescue efforts. Police officers from Frackville and Butler Township arrived on scene first and assessed the situation.
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL – First responders load a victim onto a backboard. 
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL – Frackville firefighters work to free victims from a vehicle. 
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL – A victim is loaded onto a stretcher. 
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL – Frackville Police Patrolman Joseph Murton, left, and Butler Township Police Patrolman John Kaczmarczyk lead Gavin Mentzer to a patrol car. during Monday’s mock crash. 
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL – Firefighters work to free victims during Monday’s mock crash. 
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL – A field sobriety test is administered during during Monday’s mock crash. 
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL – Students look on during Monday’s mock crash.
Then, firefighters and medical personnel from Ashland, Englewood, and Frackville arrive. EMS tend to the victims and firefighters gear up and deploy rescue tools to free the trapped victims.
All while the suspected DUI driver is taken into custody by police.
Efforts were exhausted on one victim and a deputy coroner is summoned.
Students had a first-hand look at all of it.
After the exercise, Attorney Lori Guzik shared the story of how she lost her nephew in a crash because of a texting driver. District Attorney Mike O’Pake shared the legal consequences of texting and driving, and Deputy Coroner Dave Truskowsky told students of what happens when a crash becomes a fatality.
Students participating included: Luke Combs, Gavin Mentzer, Stanley Padakowski, Natalie Urbanowicz, Hunter Rogers, Taylor Ferrari, Maria Monahan, David Martinez, Paxton Swartz, Emma Bartusik, Mikaili Fearon, Hope Flickinger, Aiden Fuller, Austin George, Luke Greblick, Kellen Miller, Johnny Peters, Ethan Reichwein, Owen Sanchez, and Jacob Slotcavage.
Full Photo Gallery
About Author
