On Thursday, October 13, 2016, Patuxent High School (PHS) held a Mock Crash Scene for Juniors and Seniors, as this was Homecoming Week and as a reminder what can happen. On hand to help with the demonstration were Patuxent High School staff and drama students, Debbie Jennings from the Chesapeake Region Safety Council, the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office, the Solomons Volunteer Rescue Squad & Fire Department (SVRS&FD), Candice D’Agostino with CAASA, and Rausch Funeral Home.

Before attending the mock crash scene outside, the students were in assembly with Suzanne Elsey, guest speaker. Suzanne Elzey started CruiseSafe Foundation, when her son, Tyler, and three of his friends were all killed in a crash on Kent Island in April 2013. CruiseSafe focuses on the risk factors involving all drivers, especially teens. They include speed, texting while driving, distraction, impairment (alcohol and drug use), drowsiness and not wearing seatbelts.

Debbie Jennings recalled Calvert County Public Schools (CCPS) first “mock crash” was held approximately 15 years ago in reaction to the 1999 Rousby Hall Road incident. Jennings said that not every student would be profoundly changed by the dramatization, as it will have different impacts on each person. She was hopeful that the remarks delivered by Suzanne Elzey might have more of an impact on some of the students.

The students reported to the crash scene, dressed in their “spirit” outfits for the day. Dfc. Andre Mitchell, DARE Officer, told the students, “I need you to pretend you aren’t invincible. Teens and adults don’t always make informed decisions. Sometimes the mistakes we make affect others.”

The students were taken through the whole scenario, from the scene of the crash, the distraught relative showing up on scene, the Sheriff’s Deputies and fire and rescue responding, the suspect being put through the sobriety standard tests and being arrested and finally the dead body being taken by the funeral home. Solomons VARS&FD Chief Joe Ford reminded students that their decision to drive unsafely can affect 50 to 60 people, including responders.

The crash scene showed the students a teenager, ejected from the car because they weren’t wearing a seatbelt, taken away by the funeral home. Three friends in the car were taken to the hospital. The at-fault driver, who hit the car with the teenagers, was drunk and speeding. A lookout for the truck had been broadcast just before he hit the car. Looking at the crash scene, it made reality hit home for the students.

**Pictures and story courtesy of Calvert Beacon**