On Thursday, Knoch High School juniors and seniors participated in a mock car crash, followed by a presentation by a representative of Mothers Against Drunk Driving. The mock crash was caused by distracted driving and utilized student actors. While Ambulance Commander Chuck Lewis explained what was happening, emergency rescue workers demonstrated how they extricate injured passengers from vehicles in such circumstances, then moved each of the "victims" to awaiting ambulances or to the chopper.
Next, the students heard an impact statement from Natalie Parkinson, whose daughter died as a result of a drunk driver. She emphasized the effect that one person's bad choices have on not only the primary victim but everyone who knew them. Sherry Wenck, whose daughter was also the victim of a drunk driving crash, also attended to bring the story closer to home. Her daughter was a student at Knoch High School when she died in 2012.
We would like to thank all who assisted in making this event happen for our students: Saxonburg Volunteer Fire Company, Saxonburg VFC Ambulance Company, AHN/Life Flight, the Saxonburg Police Department, Millerstown Pick-a-Park, D&D Towing, Saxonburg VFW Post 7376, Nancy Zacherl and State Farm Insurance, the Knoch Knights Legacies Foundation, and Natalie Parkinson and Sherry Wenck of Mothers Against Drunk Driving. The planning team would also like to thank our student actors Samantha Robb, Ava Breese, Morgan Clark, Toby Webb, and make-up artist Alicyn Rhodes.
We hope the event will influence our students to make good choices and to stay safe on the roads.