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Mock Crash Is Cautionary Tale

May 28, 2016 05:00PM ● By Amy Bartelloni

Mock crash student participants and volunteers

story & photos by Amy Bartelloni, Contributing Writer

Thanks to the coordination of Fire Lt. Chris Mach and Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) advisor Melissa Newman, Bellingham High School students and volunteers put on a mock accident for the senior class on May 17 to highlight the dangers of drinking and driving. Several student volunteers played accident victims, and volunteers from Milford Hospital and the community played parts as well.

“It’s a dramatic event, and it’s designed that way on purpose,” Principal Lucas Giguere explained.  “It’s meant to bring attention to the importance of making healthy decisions for our young people as they embark on prom season, and for the rest of their lives.” The program was meant for seniors only, as an age-appropriate demonstration of the reality of what destructive decisions can lead to. It included a follow-up piece, showcasing how families and community are affected in the aftermath of such a crash.
 
The program has been going on since 2006, and this year was dedicated in loving memory of BHS graduate Nicholas Penza, a fact that was important to the student volunteers.

“It was the right thing to do,” said volunteer Derek Izzo, about his participation. He was joined by eight other students to recreate a crash scene. EMT volunteers and members of the fire and police departments responded to the mock crash, and volunteers from Milford Hospital helped with the follow-up, which not only demonstrated the crash, but the realities involved afterward, including a hospital scene, a court scene, and a funeral.

Aside from the volunteers, Ms. Newman said there are many people to thank for the event. Marty’s Auto Service provided the crashed cars, and Cartier Funeral Home was part of the demonstration.
 
Lt. Mach would like to thank Staples for providing photos for the funeral scene. In the end, the participants worked together to give the students a lesson that they—hopefully—won’t soon forget.
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