School Stages Mock Drunk Driving Crash | Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp

With prom and graduation season just around the corner, many Virginia high schools are trying to get the message to students about the dangers of drinking and driving. Recently, students at Virginia High School in Bristol got a first-hand look at what a drunk driving accident looks like, when the school staged a mock accident scene.

 

Members of the Bristol police and fire departments, as well as local paramedics, participated in the event. Firefighters used the Jaws of Life to removed injured “victims” from the wreck and there was even a medical helicopter present to demonstrate how victims are airlifted to a medical facility.

Students acted in the roles of the car’s driver and passengers. Beer cans surrounded the wreckage. The scenario was that the driver crashed the vehicle into a fence. One passenger laid on the ground and another laid across the vehicle’s front hood, having been thrown through the windshield in the crash. Approximately 200 students watched as the driver of the car – who was not harmed in the accident – was handcuffed by police and taken into custody, now facing possible charges for the “deaths” of her friends.

Car crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers, and almost one-third of those crashes are alcohol related. The number of teens who drink is high – for example, surveys reveal that more than 40 percent of tenth graders drink. Other studies show that at least one out of every seven teens binge drink, yet only one in 100 parents believe their child binge drinks. Alcohol use increases the risk of a teen being in a car crash seven times more than for those teens who do not drink.

If you have lost a loved one in a drunk driving accident, contact a dedicated Virginia wrongful death attorney. Even if there are criminal charges pending against the person responsible for the crash, your family may also have other legal options. Our firm also offers a free wrongful death guide for families who have lost a loved one in an accident. The guide covers topics such as the statute of limitations for filing a wrongful death claim, what types of damages can be pursued, and who can be appointed as personal representative.