Photo courtesy Ayla Rutherford, Felicity-Franklin National Honor Society Historian.
In an impactful community safety initiative, the National Honor Society chapter at Felicity-Franklin High School teamed up with local first responders to organize a mock crash event on April 25. The National Honor Society aimed to raise awareness about the severe consequences of distracted and impaired driving among students, with Prom being the upcoming event.
The mock crash took place on the school grounds, where a staged accident scene was set up, complete with wrecked cars and emergency services in action. Ohio state patrol, Franklin Township firefighters and EMTs, the Clermont County Coroner, and UC Aircare demonstrated a live rescue operation to extricate ‘injured’ students from the wreckage, showcasing the urgent medical and law enforcement responses involved in actual car crash situations.
Students watched as their classmates, acting as crash victims, were treated on the scene and then transported by emergency services. Students who participated were Emerson Pinger, Emma Vittoz, Logan Pack, Andru Preston, Emma Brandenburg, Kaylee Jennings, Ayla Rutherford, Eden Myers, Lujan Grider, Ben Bracher, Joanna Hamilton, and Haley Broadwell. The parents of the ‘deceased’ individuals were on scene acting to create an authentic scenario. The local State Patrol also conducted a simulated DUI test, highlighting the legal repercussions of driving under the influence.
The mock crash was followed by a scene produced by NHS members discussing the crash victims’ regrets and what they should have done differently. This event not only provided a realistic look at the grim realities of traffic accidents but also emphasized the importance of responsible driving behaviors.