Mock crash teaches UV kids a somber lesson
NEW BERLIN – As the days leading to graduation are being counted, the threat of student celebrations being mired by destructive decisions grows greater.
Graduation is a joyous occasion that can quickly turn tragic if the wrong decisions are made. Relaying the message to over 100 students on the front lawn of Unadilla Valley Thursday were teachers, law enforcement, members of Mothers Against Destructive Decisions and of the Youth Bureau, student members of ADSIT and drivers education and a handful of lawyers.
Two cars were placed as though there had been an accident involving several teenagers, one of whom was visibly intoxicated. Some of the students stumbled from the crashed vehicle, but one student wasn’t as lucky and “died” from her injuries.
The mock crash even went as far to place the driver, played by Valarie Gonyou, under arrest following a field sobriety test and put her in a mock jail cell. A judge, depicted by District Attorney Joseph McBride, held an arraignment with a mock speech from a member of the victims impact panel. A funeral, complete with a casket, followed.
The New Berlin volunteer fire department was on hand aiding the rescue efforts as well as Gard Turner, a Norwich City Police officer. Students taking part in the reenactment were Amanda Peek (victim in the casket), Ronnie Harrington, Megan Friedel, James Peek, Kristen Elliott, Victoria French Betty Ann Charles and Valarie Gonyou.
McBride spoke to the audience about making safe decisions and what the victims’ family has to go through and what happens to the driver who chooses to drive while intoxicated. He explained what an arraignment was, and how the legal aspects of the situation affect the life of the driver forever. The charges, which carry up to seven years in a state prison, are nothing to take lightly, McBride said.
The driver was depicted as having a blood alcohol level of 2.0, well over twice the legal limit of .08. McBride explained how serious the charge is and that driving while under the influence is not just against the law, it is an issue which could leave people dead and/or serving jail time.
The program lasted roughly 30 minutes, depicting from start to finish just some of the basic procedures which follow an accident where alcohol is a component. Kathy Clemens, the director of the Chenango County Youth Bureau, finished the program with some simple concepts for students to remember while having a good time.
Clemens and Turner said the event would not be possible without the efforts made by the Youth Bureau, Norwich’s Common Council, Fahy Funeral Home of Norwich, the New Berlin Fire Department and various other student and adult volunteers.
Graduation is a joyous occasion that can quickly turn tragic if the wrong decisions are made. Relaying the message to over 100 students on the front lawn of Unadilla Valley Thursday were teachers, law enforcement, members of Mothers Against Destructive Decisions and of the Youth Bureau, student members of ADSIT and drivers education and a handful of lawyers.
Two cars were placed as though there had been an accident involving several teenagers, one of whom was visibly intoxicated. Some of the students stumbled from the crashed vehicle, but one student wasn’t as lucky and “died” from her injuries.
The mock crash even went as far to place the driver, played by Valarie Gonyou, under arrest following a field sobriety test and put her in a mock jail cell. A judge, depicted by District Attorney Joseph McBride, held an arraignment with a mock speech from a member of the victims impact panel. A funeral, complete with a casket, followed.
The New Berlin volunteer fire department was on hand aiding the rescue efforts as well as Gard Turner, a Norwich City Police officer. Students taking part in the reenactment were Amanda Peek (victim in the casket), Ronnie Harrington, Megan Friedel, James Peek, Kristen Elliott, Victoria French Betty Ann Charles and Valarie Gonyou.
McBride spoke to the audience about making safe decisions and what the victims’ family has to go through and what happens to the driver who chooses to drive while intoxicated. He explained what an arraignment was, and how the legal aspects of the situation affect the life of the driver forever. The charges, which carry up to seven years in a state prison, are nothing to take lightly, McBride said.
The driver was depicted as having a blood alcohol level of 2.0, well over twice the legal limit of .08. McBride explained how serious the charge is and that driving while under the influence is not just against the law, it is an issue which could leave people dead and/or serving jail time.
The program lasted roughly 30 minutes, depicting from start to finish just some of the basic procedures which follow an accident where alcohol is a component. Kathy Clemens, the director of the Chenango County Youth Bureau, finished the program with some simple concepts for students to remember while having a good time.
Clemens and Turner said the event would not be possible without the efforts made by the Youth Bureau, Norwich’s Common Council, Fahy Funeral Home of Norwich, the New Berlin Fire Department and various other student and adult volunteers.
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