Mock crash shows real-life dangers

With the flashing lights, blaring sirens, emergency responders and the helicopter, it wasn't an average assembly.

Coordinated by Washington State Patrol Trooper Danny Shelby, last week's DUI reenactment presentation at Monroe High School (MHS, 17001 Tester Road) was a collaborative effort between the state patrol, the high school, the Monroe Police Department, Snohomish County Fire Districts No. 3 and No. 7 and Airlift Northwest.

Speakers included Snohomish County DUI Victim Panel Coordinator Jan Schemenauer and Diane Dillon, who lost her sister in an alcohol-related car accident.

Scheduled to coincide with prom, the reenactment took place on Thursday, May 14, on the high school football field.

"Hopefully, it hit home,GÇ¥ Shelby said. "If we save one person, that's what it's all about.GÇ¥

Reenactment had "dramatic realism'

The scene was carefully crafted ahead of time: two vehicles positioned on the field as though they had just collided. Initially draped with tarps, six students were huddled inside the cars, dressed as if on their way to prom. Once the tarps were lifted, the students acted out every moment of the scenario, lending an air of dramatic realism.

With theatrical blood dripping down the side of his face, Kyle Bailey staggered as he climbed out of a black sports car, portraying an intoxicated driver. In the scenario, Bailey had been traveling eastbound on U.S. 2 with his date, played by Morgan Skoog. In a second vehicle, also on their way to prom, were Derek Stevens, Cassie Engvall, Caylee Kearns and Matthew Horsely.

All the occupants of the second vehicle sustained injuries in the crash, including one fatality. No one in the second vehicle had been drinking. The events unfolded with the help of Washington State Patrol Trooper Heather Axtman, who narrated as the students acted out the scene. Using descriptive terms, her words punctuated the staged incident.

"Pieces of plastic and metal shatter on the ground,GÇ¥ Axtman said. "Both vehicles are steaming and completely destroyed.GÇ¥

Close to reality

The scene played close to how it would in reality. Responding law enforcement officers were first on the scene, followed by emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics. Officers quickly located alcoholic beverages on the ground outside the at-fault driver's vehicle and began to question the driver. A state patrol trooper initiated a field sobriety test, while EMTs simultaneously started extracting students who were trapped inside the second vehicle.

As the chaotic flurry of activity ensued, Axtman continued to narrate, giving background on each student. Engvall was fatally wounded in the accident, while Kearns and Skoog suffered minor injuries. After they were extracted from the vehicle, Derek Stevens was loaded onto the back of an aid car, while Matthew Horsley was rushed to a Airlift Northwest helicopter for transport to Harborview Medical Clinic.

Assembly attendees watched as the state patrol trooper mock-arrested Bailey, placing him in handcuffs before settling him in the back of the patrol car.

An important, timely message-á

The participating students were grateful for the opportunity to help spread such a powerful and important message to their classmates. Engvall said their drama teacher immediately identified the importance of the DUI reenactment assembly, particularly in light of the fact that there haven't been any recent alcohol-related driving incidents.

It's easy to get lulled into a fall sense of comfort, Engvall explained: "It's something that really happens. Just because our community's gotten lucky, it doesn't mean those decisions still aren't being made.GÇ¥

"If we just change one person's mind at the assembly to not drink that night, this assembly was a success,GÇ¥ Bailey added.

After the demonstration was complete, students listened to Schemenauer and Dillon, who gave a heartfelt presentation in honor of her sister's memory.

"Today was to inform. Today was not to scare,GÇ¥ said Monroe High School Principal John Lombardi. "I hope that you understand that. The sad part is that this is reality, and as you just heard, it's a reality in our county and our state.GÇ¥

It has been seven years since such an assembly has taken place at the high school.