FINE – Students at Clifton-Fine Central School witnessed a mock drunk driving accident Wednesday to highlight the dangers of drinking and driving.

Jennifer Brown of the Seaway Valley Prevention Council coordinated the mock DWI.

“Changing the perspective of one student is all it takes for the right decision to be made, and lives to be saved” said Brown.

Star Lake Fire Department chief, Rick Rusaw, along with his crew members, the Star Lake EMS Crew, local state troopers, Travis Sullivan and Joshua Rogers, the county coroner, James Sienkiewycz, the local Star Lake Funeral Home, Hawleys’ and Ron Koster, responded to a mock drunk driving crash.

The Mock DWI Crash dramatizes the severe consequences of drinking and driving.

Upon arrival, EMS responders and the Fire Department quickly charged into action.

Involved in the scene were five seniors, Kerstin Robert who played the role of the drunk driver, passengers were played by Shania Muncil and Bianca Terry, the third passenger who was dead on arrival (DOA) was played by Erica Daniels, and the sober driver in the other vehicle was played by Gilbert Guiles. The student actors were then transferred to Star-Lake hospital, where Ron Koster had coordinated a mock MCI drill with his medical staff. Make-up was done by Dallas Crane, who is pursuing a career in art education at Pratt Institute.

Ninth to 12th graders observed as the driver was arrested, paramedics removed two people from the vehicle using the Jaws of Life and another was put into a body bag.

The hope of the Mock DWI Crash is to promote a safe and sober message for students. The goal was to show students the dangers of drinking and driving, and to remind them of the reality and consequences of these activities.