Staged Crash Sends 'Sobering' Message to Students
By: Jacob Long, WMBD/WYZZ-TV
Updated: April 27, 2012
NORMAL - Students at University High School got a sobering message outside the classroom Friday.
They gathered in the parking lot for a staged car crash exercise hosted by the American Red Cross and other local agencies.
The crash was between two vehicles and resulted in the death of one teenager. Three other teens were hurt and had to be taken away in either an ambulance or helicopter.
A funeral home came to take the deceased victim away in a body bag. It might sound graphic, but that is the point.
The Red Cross wants to make sure students know all forms of distracted driving, including drunk driving and texting and driving, can have deadly consequences.
The staged crash also had a prom night theme because U-High is holding its prom Saturday night, and kids often party before and/or afterward.
But one student he will now think twice about his choices after seeing the mock crash.
Senior Brandon Timm said, "(I'll) definitely watch out for everybody else driving and just keep your eyes out whenever you go, and just always make sure you're being safe."
A central Illinois mom also spoke at the event. She lost her son in a crash where the driver was high.
They gathered in the parking lot for a staged car crash exercise hosted by the American Red Cross and other local agencies.
The crash was between two vehicles and resulted in the death of one teenager. Three other teens were hurt and had to be taken away in either an ambulance or helicopter.
A funeral home came to take the deceased victim away in a body bag. It might sound graphic, but that is the point.
The Red Cross wants to make sure students know all forms of distracted driving, including drunk driving and texting and driving, can have deadly consequences.
The staged crash also had a prom night theme because U-High is holding its prom Saturday night, and kids often party before and/or afterward.
But one student he will now think twice about his choices after seeing the mock crash.
Senior Brandon Timm said, "(I'll) definitely watch out for everybody else driving and just keep your eyes out whenever you go, and just always make sure you're being safe."
A central Illinois mom also spoke at the event. She lost her son in a crash where the driver was high.
