Graphic presentation illustrates dangers of Driving While Intoxicated
by Carol Hansen
Town of Webb School Principal Rex Germer and Prevention Counselor Brendon McGrath arranged a Mock DWI Car Accident on Tuesday morning, May 31 on Gilbert Street, just beyond the school steps.
Germer and McGrath had been planning the demonstration for the last two months.
It was kept very quiet, Germer said, except for the five students who needed to prepare for their roles in portraying the driver and accident victims.
As the high school student body, teachers and staff, watched from the school steps, Colin Criss, the driver, was given sobriety tests by police and eventually arrested for driving while intoxicated.
Taylor Payne and Haley Josephson suffered injuries, and Patrick Venetz, seriously injured, had to be extricated from the front passenger seat of the car and taken by LifeNet helicopter to the hospital.
The one fatality was Andrea Frey who was taken away by a Dimbleby Funeral Home hearse.
Shortly afterward, her funeral arrangements were announced by the moderator, Tony Sege, who described the unfolding drama to students, teachers, and other onlookers over a loud speaker.
The realistic drama began with a general assembly at 9 a.m. that was unexpectedly interrupted at 9:15 a.m. by five unruly students who were throwing beer cans around.
The students left the gym and supposedly drove off.
Soon after, the fire alarms went off and the stunned students exited the building to discover that a badly damaged car had crashed into the telephone pole below the school steps.
Old Forge Fire Department paramedics, the Town of Webb Police and State Police were already on the scene.
The K-8 students remained in their classrooms during the demonstration.
Though they did not view the drama taking place outdoors, later they had a chance to inspect the LifeNet helicopter that had set down on the soccer field.
Germer said the mock car accident was motivated by a car accident on Route 28 near the Lanterns just about two years ago when two local boys lost their lives.
He said he and McGrath hope that the realistic demonstration on Tuesday morning will make students think twice about the consequences and risks of drinking and driving.
Taking part in the demonstration was the Old Forge Fire Department, Town of Webb Police Department, NY State Police, Dimbleby Funeral Home, LifeNet Helicopter, Moran’s Collision and the Town of Webb Department of Public Works.
