Lawrence High Students Reminded to Have Safe Prom

On Friday morning (June 3), just hours before they attend their senior prom, students from Lawrence High School assembled outside the school to watch a realistic recreation of a fatal motor vehicle accident involving drivers who were impaired by drugs and alcohol. The goal of the exercise was the show students the potential consequences of drug use and underage drinking in an effort to encourage them to enjoy a safe prom.

Taking part in the annual exercise were Lawrence Township police officers, Lawrence Township Emergency Medical Service ambulance crews, Capital Health System paramedics, the township’s daytime duty crew of career firefighters and volunteer firefighters from the Lawrence Road, Slackwood and Lawrenceville fire companies.

Student volunteers portrayed accident victims – complete with makeup depicting horrific wounds – while other volunteers portrayed distraught parents and bystanders. To extricate the “victims” from the wreckage, firefighters had to cut away the doors and roofs of the two vehicles involved in the mock collision.

Lawrence Township Police Detective William Chester, township Emergency Management Director Jack Oakley and township Emergency Medical Service Chief Chrissie Vincent provide students with commentary during the scenario, explaining exactly what was happening when police officers arrested the “drivers” and medical personnel pronounced some of the “victims” dead at the scene.     

“This was very, very realistic,” Vincent said after all the “victims” had been freed from the wreckage and treated by the medical crews.

“One of these patients was dead when we got here. Three coded while we were treating them. One we got back but probably coded again and died in the emergency room. At least one, if not two of these kids end up in wheelchairs for the rest of their lives. At least one from the entire group ends up bedridden, not being able to move ever again,” she said. “You guys are adults. You aren’t kids any more. It’s been harped and harped to you. Don’t drink and drive. Don’t get into a car with someone who's been drinking or someone who's been doing drugs. It’s not worth it.”