Mock drunk driving disaster staged at Belle Vernon Area
Tori Lombardo and her friends watched in horror as rescue personnel frantically tried to save the lives of their Belle Vernon Area High School classmates.
Her friends screamed at her and ask her how much she drank before getting behind the wheel of her car.
"I only had a few beers," she yelled as paramedics use stretchers to take the injured and dead from the two-vehicle crash to local hospitals.
It's a horrific scene that BVA school officials and local police hope sticks with the students.
The crash was a mock drunk driving disaster drill staged Thursday at Belle Vernon Area High School.
Organizers are hoping the dozens of juniors and seniors who witnessed the mock drill paid close attention.
Sponsored by the BVA Medical Interest Club/Students Against Destructive Decisions, the drill was conducted in conjunction with the Rostraver Township Police Department. The goal is to show students first-hand the tragic results of drinking and driving.
The event was funded through a $2,000 grant from the Carmen Bilsky Insurance Agency and Erie Insurance. The grant was presented through Erie Insurance's "Lookin' Out" initiative to educate young drivers and save lives.
"I think they need to see the reality because, when you're young, you don't realize the things that can happen," Bilsky said.
Event organizer and high school nurse Vickie McCullough, who sponsors the club, said organizers try to make the drill seem as real as possible.
The drill includes, in graphic detail, scenes ranging from the horrific crash site to the funerals of the dead teens to the court arraignment of the teens charged with homicide by vehicle.
Students from the Tom Savini's special makeup effects class at the Douglas Education Center in Monessen took care of the realistic crash scene injuries.
Longtime Magisterial District Judge Charles Christner, who "arraigned" Tori and classmate Ashley Sethman on homicide by vehicle charges, said that while it's hard to measure the impact of the drill, it's important just the same.
"If it can stop one student, then it's all worth it," Christner said.
Rostraver police Lt. John Christner, who helped organize the event, is hoping the students will remember the mock disaster as they prepare for their prom, set for May 15.
"I would like for just once for every one of you to ride with a police officer when he arrives at the scene of a fatal accident. It's a reality check. You learn how life can be so short and end in an instant. We know the sights, the smells - antifreeze, blood, transmission fluid and alcohol - the sounds of family members and friends arriving on scene and screaming," John Christner said. "Just once, if you were unfortunate enough to view this type of occurrence - I truly believe it would affect you like it does us. You will make better decisions as you go through life."
For senior John Watroba, getting ejected from the mock crash and being one of the fatalities made the dangers of driving under the influence even more real.
"Just the visual effects and the mere reality of having close friends dying and getting injured, just seeing and hearing it is a good thing," Watroba said.
Senior Alyssa Canestrale, who played an injured crash victim, agreed, as she knows other students who have been affected by drunk driving.
"I think this really opens your eyes to what can happen," Canestrale said.
After the mock crash, the students watched as Lombardo failed a field sobriety test and was led away in handcuffs by police.
They watched as firefighters used pneumatic cutting and bending tools to free another teen from the backseat of the car and as ambulance personnel covered the dead victims with sheets and placed them on stretchers.
The following MIC/SADD members also participated in the mock drill: David Mutich, Alicia Lyons, Kristen Lee, Louis Sperone, Julie Santoro, Casey Giles, Erica Beard, Adam Ferguson, Matt Miele, P.J. Tasser, David Zuzak and Ed Staryarsky.
The following agencies participated: Rostraver Central, Rostraver No. 1 and Collinsburg fire departments; Rostraver/West Newton Emergency Medical Services and West Newton police.
John Christner implored the students to listen to the message.
"I ask, I implore you, to make wise, well-informed decisions - do not succumb to peer pressure. Be your own person and make smart decisions," he said. "Seniors, you are about to graduate from high school and enter the most exciting phase of your life. Please make wise decisions and don't let one foolish person or one foolish choice cause you to live in regret for the rest of your life. "
