43
High school stages mock auto accident
Photo
Neighbors | Shaiyla Hakeem .Jessica Bochert (left) Firefighter EMT J. R. Warren, Lt. Tim Clavin, Cooper Kostelic and Santina Mastoris all volunteered to be a part of the mock accident outside of PSHS April 30. The crash was intended to show the potential consequences of drinking and driving.
Photo
Neighbors | Shaiyla Hakeem .Poland's Jessica Bochert lay motionless in front of a car that has been involved in an accident due to drunk driving. The mock demonstration involved three PSHS students, the Poland Police Department and the Western Reserve Joint Fire District.
Photo
Neighbors | Shaiyla Hakeem .Poland Seminary High School students gather around the remains of the car that was involved in the mock accident demonstration April 30. The car was dismantled in order to rescue all injured students from the crushed vehicle.
Photo
Neighbors | Shaiyla Hakeem .Emergency Medical Technicians rush Jessica Bochert (center) to their helicopter to evacuate her during a mock accident at PSHS April 30. The helicopter flew in and demonstrated another way that victims can be transported from an accident.
By SHAIYLA HAKEEM
Gray smoke filled the air as a disfigured vehicle sat immobile after being involved in a serious crash due to the actions of a drunk driver.
This was only a drill, but next time it could be reality.
Poland Seminary High School conducted a mock car accident April 30 to demonstrate the potential outcomes of drinking and driving. The mock demonstration was a collaboration between the high school, the Western Reserve Joint Fire District, the Poland police department and STAT MedEvac.
Fire Prevention Officer Bill O’Hara, Joint Fire District, said they have been wanting to do a demonstration like this for years. He believes that enabling students to see the ramifications of driving while intoxicated will have a greater influence on them than just a verbal warning.
“As firefighters, we have to cut people out of cars sometimes several times a year because of drunk driving,” O’Hara said. “It’s a great message to the kids this time of year.”
Poland High School students Jessica Bochert, Cooper Kostelic and Santina Mastoris volunteered to play the role as the passengers and driver in the mock collision.
Bochert was laying in front of the mangled car, as if thrown through the windshield. Kostelic was given a sobriety test by Poland police officers and handcuffed for driving under the influence.
Firefighters had to use the jaws of life to pry open the rear door to reach an unconscious Mastoris. Bochert was injured so badly, she was transported in a helicopter by Stat MedEvac to receive more adequate treatment.
Poland junior Darius Patton said his brother was recently involved in a near fatal car accident in Campbell. Having someone so close to him involved in such a serious crash has made him more cautious about wearing his seat belt. Patton believes everyone could take something useful from the mock demonstration.
“I never knew that if you get into a bad car accident they will bring a helicopter,” he said.
A fourth passenger, which was a mannequin, didn’t survive the crash. He was covered with a white sheet and placed into a body bag.
School principal Vincent Procopio said this topic is usually discussed in class or when handing out caps and gowns, but having a mock accident is more dramatic. He understands that parents and school officials are tense during prom and graduation seasons and he wants students to realize that it isn’t just about them, but other high school students as well.
“We may just have a couple hundred kids out there having a good time, but every other high school has them out there too,” Procopio said. “You put all these kids on the road at this time of year, it could be a catastrophe.”
The mock accident will take place every two years, since it is intended for the juniors and seniors. The disassembled car will remain in front of the high school throughout prom season. It will be a symbol and constant reminder of the dangers of driving while intoxicated, or just driving carelessly.
“The students do not think about the serious consequences that could happen from drinking and driving and or just not paying attention by talking on their cell phones,” Procopio said. ““They need to see what could happen.”