By Jean Douglas Clarkson
Flint Journal
Copyright 2007 Flint Journal
All Rights Reserved
FLUSHING, Mich. — The aftermath of a dramatic car collision on May 11 gave Flushing High School students some sobering thoughts about driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
The mock-crash drama began with student Jordan Barkey, wearing a white tuxedo and ruffled shirt, staggered from his car toward the other driver, Matt O’Mara, who lay in the grass near collision site.
Witness Dale Coggins, approached, calling 911 on his cell phone. Barkey wrestled with Coggins, trying to stop the call. Officer Jim Hough, high school liaison officer, arrived on the scene, quickly subdued Barkey and handcuffed him.
Announcer Quin Bartlet, special education teacher at the high school, narrated the unfolding events.
He explained that crash victims reached within 15 minutes have more chance of survival. A running clock provided by John Gault, Riverbend Striders, ticked off the minutes until help arrived.
Meghan Key got out of one car and walked unsteadily across the grass in her blood-stained prom gown. O’Mara’s date, Christina Riske, unable to get out of the other car, kept calling “Help me!” through a broken window.
Police cars, a fire truck and ambulance arrived with sirens blaring.
An EMT covered the face the silent figure in the grass, checked Key and led her to the ambulance. Firefighters brought out the Jaws of Life to free Riske from the wreckage. They strapped her to a gurney and whisked off in the ambulance while police checked the scene. A hearse from Rossell’s Funeral Home drove in silently to pick up O’Mara’s body.
After a wrecker from Leonard’s Auto Works and Towing arrived, Bartlet announced the results of the accident. Barkey, the drunken driver, was arrested, Key sustained injuries, and Riske was dead on arrival at the hospital.
Melissa Zendler, Flushing Middle School teacher addressed the juniors and seniors gathered at the crash scene. She described a life-altering story that resulted when drugs and alcohol took over the life of her son R. J.
She listed “firsts” that parents look forward to: first words, first day at school, first date. Then she listed difficult “firsts” their family experienced due to their son’s use of drugs and alcohol: the first arrest, the first time they took him to rehab, the first time a policeman arrived to tell them their son was dead.
“Which set of ‘firsts’ do you want for your parents?” Zendler asked the students. “R.J. was convinced he could handle the drugs and alcohol. He was dead wrong.”
Other speakers stressed importance of seat belts and advised students not to drink if they were under 21, and not to drive if they drank or get in the car with a driver who has been drinking.
The drama really hit home for senior Leanne Pratt, who realized halfway through the program that her friend was the injured girl in the car.
“I was in shock. It made it more surreal because Christina is my best friend. It was devastating enough to know it could be someone I know.”
Nikki Stefanski said, “It needed to be done because kids don’t realize what can happen. I saw some students crying and to have Mrs. Zendler talk made the kids think.”
Tyrone Robbins agreed. “This whole activity was meant to be done. A lot of kids were looking to do this.
After looking (at the crash) and hearing Mrs. Zendler, they may change their minds. I’m glad Flushing High School cares enough to show us what an accident might look like from alcohol.”
Corissa Carlson, president of Students Against Destructive Decisions said they made the mock car accident as true to life as possible. The actors’ names are not revealed ahead of time.
The group appreciated the support of those who made it possible, including Flushing city and township police and fire departments, Riverbend Striders, Leonard’s Auto Works and Towing, C M Ambulance Service and Rossell Funeral Home.
Flushing High School Principal Gary Whitmire said after he was asked to identify three students killed in a crash 11 years ago, he and others in the community began programs such as this and the safe prom night program.
SADD holds the mock crash event every three years for juniors and seniors. Students may opt to stay in class if they choose not to watch the enactment.
Whitmire notes that the program has an impact. Each time, students come to him afterward and say they were thinking about partying but changed their minds after seeing this.
The program serves two purposes, according to SADD advisor Jackie Ivanoff. “It’s a win/win situation. The firemen and other responders use it as practice. They need to learn and the students need to see it.”