It was a demonstration of something that could realistically happen at any given moment on the roadways in Allen County.
“A young Mennonite girl is dead, her sister is listed in critical condition, and an Allen County-Scottsville High School student is facing criminal charges today following a car-buggy collision last night,” might be the words leading off a 6 a.m. edition of a local newscast, with the announcer adding. “Local law enforcement says texting and driving caused the accident.”
Last Friday afternoon, a year-long project to bring to life---in vivid reality---the danger of texting and driving and emphasize driving safety came to fruition with the staging of a mock accident scene staged at Patriot Stadium. Approximately 900 AC-SH students watched as a tragic scene was acted out through the efforts of the local chapter of the Future Farmers of America, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Allen County Sheriff’s Department, Scottsville City Police, Allen County Emergency Medical Services, volunteer forefighters from Stoney Point, Halifax, East Allen and Cedar Springs, and Air Methods and Air Evac. The purpose of the event---called Pep Rally for Life---was to help students see how one bad decision could have life-altering consequences.
“According to Allen County Sheriff Jeff Cooke,” the news announcer continued, “A car was eastbound on Kentucky 100 when the vehicle topped a hill, crossed the center line, and struck a Mennonite buggy carrying a family of four. The impact propelled members of the Mennonite family into the vehicle, killing one of the young girls and critically injuring her sister, mother, and father. Four passengers in the vehicle were also injured.”
Friday, FFA
students played the roles of the Mennonite family---role playing which caused
the students to reflect on the potentially life-changing message presented in
the demonstration.
“I hope this mock accident hits home with our students,” noted Lacee Groce who portrayed the fatality in the accident. “I’m hoping it will open our eyes because I know some reckless and careless drivers. I hope that drivers will be more careful when they go out.”
“I think this is a great idea because it really shows what can happen,” added buggy driver Jeremiah Morgan. “Hopefully, this will make the roads safer.”
FFA student Lauren Keown portrayed a “critically” injured victim from the accident and was flown (with parental permission) from the mock scene. Keown points out that she hopes that this demonstration will cause her school to always drive safe and avoid dangerous situations.
“I think this is great especially with prom and graduation coming up,” Keown said. “I think this will help keep safety in the minds of the students. Texting has become a serious problem on the roads.”
The mock accident not only presented the AC-S students with a dynamic visual of the aftermath of such an accident but also a glimpse of the way first responders would react. Students listened as the initial 911 call was received and heard the E-911 Center dispatcher calling out police, ambulance, and fire departments--- calls made on a secure radio frequency as not to present to the public the appearance of an actual accident. However, the high school students heard the sirens of emergency crews arriving on the scene, watched as a triage was done to access the injuries, and the calls made for two helicopters, and the Allen County Coroner’s Office.
“The driver of the car faces manslaughter charges,” the radio announcer would add in the news account.
While EMS and fire departments worked with the “victims”, students watched as law enforcement ran the car’s license, conducted a sobriety check on the driver, and checked operators license and registration. Police also checked to see if a cell phone was being used at the time of the crash. Once that determination was made, students witnessed the driver arrested to face the legal consequences of his choice.
“Being in the makeup, covered with the fake blood, seeing the scene with one person dead, and then realizing that it’s on your hands is a terrifying thought,” explained student Chance Baldwin---who portrayed the texting driver. “I hope that students seeing this will realize the importance of being safe.”
To further
make the demonstration realistic, three students were with Baldwin in the car.
Students Emma Harwood and Jackson Hite portrayed intoxicated passengers from drinking
at a party while Mattie Wolfe was in the role of a young student in the wrong
place at the wrong time.
“I was the one who just made the choice to go with them when I shouldn’t have,” noted Maddie Wolfe, “This allows people to see that choices do matter.”
Hite added
that it is his hope that the mock accident will make a point to his school.
“I hope this has an impact and, especially in prom season, shows everybody that your choices do have consequences,” Hite noted. “In this mock situation, one person passed away and several were hurt, and everyone was affected in some way.”
Harwood
believes it was eye-opening for the student body.
“I hope that people learn that they are responsible for their actions,” Harwood said. “I hope that people make smarter decisions about safety.”
The mock accident scene concluded with the grim reality of how a real situation might play out. Two helicopters were on scene with one lifting to fly a critical victim to Vanderbilt. Allen County EMS were transporting multiple victims by emergency traffic to hospitals in Scottsville and Bowling Green. Allen County corner Darren Davis arrived to transport the fatality to the coroner’s office while, nearby, a young man---college bound an hour earlier---was facing charges that would impact his future. Firefighters were preparing to help clear the scene.
“The names of those involved in the accident are being withheld pending the notification of the next of kin,” would be the final words of the news announcer---knowing that somewhere parents, family, classmates, and friends would be mourning the loss of life.
The mock
car-buggy accident was chosen since local drivers daily share the road with
residents from Mennonite communities in east and west Allen County.
“We want the kids realize that something like this could happen,” Sheriff Jeff Cooke said. “You can be here one moment and gone the next. This is serious. We hope the kids will think about what could happen when they get behind the wheel.”
The Pep Rally for Life event not only included FFA students but also various clubs and groups from the high school. Art students and AC-S art educator Hope Adams helped with the students’ make up. Nursing students Josten Lightfoot, Ally Atwood, and Megan Stinson portrayed nurses and EMS personal. In addition, culinary students from Family and Consumer Sciences served a pre-event meal for all involved. AC-SH Pride Masters welcomed special guests, and the Patriot Band and JROTC cadets assisted in the opening Pep Rally for Life activities. Co-Ed-Y, Student Council, Drama, DECA, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes also assisted.
The 60-minute
Pep Rally was a learning and educational opportunity for members of the FFA
leadership team.
“It’s an honor to have the opportunity to help coordinate this in FFA and have the opportunity to talk to our high school and work with our local and state officials on such an important issue,” added FFA student Stacee Groce.
AC-S students also heard special remarks from Allen County School Superintendent Randall Jackson, Allen County Judge Executive Johnny Hobdy, Scottsville Mayor Rob Cline, State Representative Wilson Stone, FFA State President Braden Burks, and reigning Miss Kentucky Molly Matney. Warren Beelor from the office of Governor Matt Bevin and Kaci Moncayo also addressed the students. Both Beelor’s daughter and Moncayo’s sister---AC-S graduate Sara Fitzpatrick---died in traffic accidents.
Dale Dodson
and Ann Langman from the Kentucky Department of Education and AC-SH FFA
president Alyssa Welch
emceed the Pep Rally for Life.
Dodson also
assisted FFA students and advisors Brandon Weaver and Nikki Towe in planning
the event. Stoney Point assistant fire chief Nick Moore also help with
coordination. Members of the local Mennonite donated the buggy and parts and
indicated support for the event.