Mock tragedy warns of consequences of unsafe choices

This simulation was not an easy thing to set up and coordinate. Vernon County D.A.R.E. officer Dan Miller, who helped with the event, told the students observing the simulation that we want "you to hear the real sounds and see the real stuff;" but when it was time to start, the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Vernon County Sheriff's Office arrived on the scene with lights flashing and sirens blaring to find a two vehicle accident with seven teen-aged occupants with differing degrees of injuries. The officers assessed situation as help arrived in the form of volunteers from the Walker and Schell City fire departments.

Emergency personnel were tending to the injured and securing the scene as the Vernon County Ambulance District came on scene. Injured and bloody students were in both cars and one passenger had been ejected from her seat to end up face down, lifeless on the hood of one of the cars. Ambulance workers sprung into action stabilizing the injured, and fire department personnel used the jaws of life to free the driver of one vehicle.

As the driver was freed, one of the victim's mothers arrived on the scene to learn that her child would not be coming home, ever. The sound of her grief and pain could be heard over all of the noise of the rescue efforts. State Trooper Jim Wilde escorted the freed driver away from the immediate scene and administered a breathalyzer test and conducted a field sobriety test before arresting him for driving while intoxicated, handcuffing him and placing the driver in his cruiser.

Medical responders continued to assist the injured. Three were loaded into an ambulance for transport to a medical facility. Two of the victims were pronounced dead at the scene and transported by Lewis-Hoagland funeral Home of Schell City. The remaining victim of the crash was air lifted by EagleMed Flight of Pittsburg, Kan. The vehicles involved in the crash were provided and towed by Rick Smith of Southeast Auto of Nevada. Deputy Miller told the onlookers "now you know what it feels like to be right there." Everyone was instructed to return to the gym to ear the guest speaker.

Inside the gym, Holly Winders told students a bit about herself before getting into the heart of her story. She also told them that she would not hesitate to call out anyone who was talking or not paying attention. The students took her seriously; the gym was absolutely silent for the duration of her presentation. Using slides and sometimes tears she explained to the students how she was the driver in an alcohol related accident when she was a minor that resulted in the death of two of her friends. Pacing the gym floor barefoot she said, "The consequences of what could happen never crossed my mind."

She vividly detailed the series of events leading up to the accident, her injuries and those of her friends. She went on to tell about the results of what had happened. Aside from her medical issues, her community turned on her, she had numerous legal repercussions and lasting psychological effects. And even though it took her a number of years to come to terms with what had happened she said, "It's a feeling that never goes away!"

Winders closed her presentation with a brief question and answer session.

Team Spirit members set up a sort of checkpoint in the road leading from the school and as drivers passed, the students gave drivers a Smarties candy for wearing a seatbelt or a Dum Dum sucker for not wearing the safety device.