Mock Crash Teaches Dangers of Drinking and Driving

Swiftwater, Monroe County - Hundreds of students witnessed two people die and many others get injured in a mock crash Thursday.

Pocono Mountain East High School students worked with real first responders to stage a lesson about drinking and driving just in time for Prom season. The "Students Against Destructive Decisions" group worked on the lesson for months.

Their outdoor play started with a preprom drinking party. Two drivers downed a few drinks and soon learned they'd have to swallow the tough consequences. Senior Jessica Lepri played an injured passenger. She said,"I think that kids really need to be careful because they don't realize that things can happen to them at our age."

Hundreds of students watched the simulated crash scene. Junior Quadera Reid said, "It could be like you the next day. You never know."

The students what happened when a drunk hit an innocent family. A little girl lost her father. They witnessed the chaos that ensued when police and rescuers arrived on the scene.

There were handcuffs, a copter and a coroner.

The driver who caused the tragedy saw it all as he took a field sobriety test. Then he ended up in the back of a squad car. His tears couldn't change the terror of the situation.

State Troopers hope the message is clear. Trooper David Peters said, "Someone is going to a prom and maybe drink and think it's not going to happen to them. Before you know it they are wrapped up in something that is beyond their control.

The student organizers hope the lessons learned in the fake accident make a difference on real roads prom night and every night.