The students saw first hand what it is like to be in an accident by driving stupidly. The Culver EMS, the Culver Police Department and the staff at the Culver Community Jr-Sr High School wanted to get a the message across to the students that drinking and driving, driving stupidly and driving without thinking causes accidents. Not only do such acts cause accidents but lives can be lost.

The car (used in the demonstration) had hit a tree out in front of the high school. The windshield was shattered and a gaping hole was left in it after accident victim Annette Osborn slammed her head into it.

Osborn bore the results of not wearing a seatbelt with a piece of glass sticking out of her head.

Osborn, a parent, wanted the children to get a first hand look at the dangers of fooling around while driving.

"I've got a senior and they need to know they are not invincible," Osborn said.

The accident scene showed three people injured and one person dead. The police officers, Chad Becker, patrolman and Town Marshall Wayne Bean, were on the scene assisting the victims.

The dead person, portrayed by Nicki Loehmer, was pulled aside by the officers and paramedics. Culver EMS workers covered her with a sheet while waiting for a body bag.

Dan Adams, teacher at CCJSHS, portrayed one of the victims in the accident. The other victim was played by Donna Holcomb.

Adams and Osborn were taken to the ambulance to by the Culver EMS.

"As I was sitting in the car waiting for the students to come out I was a little worried about what to do," Adams said. "But when the others started moaning and groaning an almost panic set in. You don't want to be in this."

Holcomb was in the back seat with neck injuries. Culver EMS Director, Ruth Dilts pointed to a student in the audience and told him, "Get in the car with her and whatever the paramedic tells you to do, do it."

Dilts explained, " When we're out there and see someone standing around we might point to someone and say help out."

Student Michael Jackson climbed into the backseat and held Holcomb's head steady while a neck brace was applied.

"It was scary," Jackson said. "I felt like I didn't want to be there doing this for real."

After all victims were taken to the ambulances, the EMS personnel put the dead body in a body bag.

"That was scary," Loehmer said about her experience in the body bag.

After the victims and the body were placed in ambulances, Becker spoke to the children.

'This is exactly what we see and worse," he said. "Many times we don't have enough crew to man one ambulance."

Dilts said, "What we don't want to do is pick you guys up out there. Think smart. Don't drive silly.

"We hope the students understand that this is what happens and we don't want to pick up kids on the side of the street."

"It isn't any fun for them and it isn't any fun for us," said EMS Chris Otto. "It affects us to."

Holcomb participated in the program because, "To scare the kids so they don't drink and drive. I hope this will help."

Albert Hanselman, principal, wanted the students to get the message the school cares about them all the time.

"We wanted to do this simulation to have an impact on our kids so they understand the consequences of making poor choices," Hanselman said. "We want our kids to be safe all the time."

Bean felt the first mock accident for the students was a success.

"When the students came out here there were some shocked looks on some of their faces," said Bean said. "It went very well. We showed a couple videos first and then talked to the kids about drinking and driving. Then we brought them out here.

"We want them to know we want to keep our streets safe but want them to have fun."

Lyons Towing Service provided the wrecked vehicle.

©Pilot News 2001

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