A mock head-on crash caused by a drunk driver was the scenario for a Mock Prom Crash behind Sandoval High School Friday afternoon.
A number of agencies came together along with Sandoval nursing instructors Mary Beth Suedmeyer and Brenda Kunick to put together the crash, emergency response, and a funeral for the student who died in the mock crash. Sandoval and Patoka students from the CNA and Medical Terminology Classes played the roles in the crash, providing makeup, effects, as well as props.
Sandoval Fire Department Captain Scott Toler says the event has been held bi-annually since the 1990s.
” The goal is to help bring the message of drunk and distracted driving. The consequences help bring it home so the kids can hopefully learn that if they make a bad choice there is a consequence. It can be as horrible as someone losing their life or an innocent bystander losing their life.”
Toler says emergency crews don’t know what they will be facing until they arrive on the scene, making it a realistic drill for them as well. The scenario was a number of students who decided not to go to Post Prom were in a vehicle with a drunk driver who collided with another vehicle leaving one dead, one that was transported by medical helicopter, and five others that were transported by ambulance.
After watching the emergency response to the crash, students moved inside for a funeral service for their classmate Abby Wynn who died in the mock crash. Steve Upchurch, the minister at the Rock Church in Centralia, performed the funeral service.
“Abby was an innocent victim. She did not die because she was being irresponsible. She did not die because of her own negligence. She died as a result of someone drinking and driving. Her life, her dreams, her aspirations were cut short because of someone else’s actions.”
Wynn was in a casket as the service was performed. Among those passing by the casket was the student who was in police custody for DUI. Wynn says this is an experience she doesn’t want to be repeated in real life.
“I try not to get in cars with people who are intoxicated. I hope it helped everyone else in here that stuff like this happens and it can happen to you.”
The Mock Crash proceeds Sandoval’s Prom which will be held Saturday night.
Organizers are thanking a number of agencies including Sandoval Fire/EMS, United Ambulance of Salem, Air Evac Greenville, Sandoval Police, Marion County Sheriff’s Department, Marion County Coroner’s Office, Illinois State Police, Village of Sandoval, and Mayor Pam Gelsinger, Reverman and Jerry’s Towing, 911 Dispatch, Tim Ferguson Photography, Day Macz Funeral Home, and Pastor Upchurch of the Rock Church.
The crash scene as emergency responders arrived at the mock crash scene. Photo by Tim Ferguson.
A close-up of two of the victims in one of the cars. Photo by Tim Ferguson.
State Trooper Isaak Craig gives the alleged DUI driver in the mock crash, Makayla Dailey, to determine if she was intoxicated. Photo by Tim Ferguson.
Emergency workers carry the body of the student killed in the mock accident, Abby Wynn, from the scene. Photo by Tim Ferguson.
One of the mock accident victims being led to an Air Evac Helicopter to be transferred from the scene. Photo by Tim Ferguson.
Minister Steve Upchurch performs the funeral for Abby Wynn, who was killed in the mock crash behind Sandoval High School on Friday. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
