PHOTO GALLERY: Mock crash at Hathaway High School
Published 3:37 pm Friday, March 10, 2023
Tessa Richard reacts as Louisiana State Trooper Christopher Castor escorts her son, Brayden, to jail after he was arrested for drunk driving in a fatal mock head-on collision Friday at Hathaway High School. The staged crash was held to raise awareness among teens about the dangers of drinking and driving, texting and driving and speeding.
Hathaway High School junior Madison Quebodeaux is placed into a hearse after being killed in a mock crash Friday at Hathaway HIgh School. The mock crash simulated a two-car accident resulting in Quebodeaux's death by a drunken driver.
Acadian Ambulance personnel roll Dani Thibdeaux into a makeshift trauma center Friday during a mock crash program at Hathaway High School. The mock crash simulated a two-car accident resulting in one fatality and several injuries caused by a drunk driver.
Students look on as Brayden Richard, a junior at Hathaway High School, checks on classmate Madison Quebodeaux during a fatal mock crash Friday at the school. The program, which was a sober reminder of the consequences and reality of drunk driving and not wearing a seatbelt, coincided with the school's prom this weekend.
Emergency responders remove Hathaway HIgh School junior Dani Thibodeaux from a wrecked vehicle Friday during a mock fatal head-on crash as juniors and seniors watch from a distance. The simulated two-car crash was held to show students the effects of distracted and impaired driving.
Louisiana State Trooper Christopher Castro conducts a sobriety test on Brayden Richard, a junior at Hathaway High School, after he is involved in a mock crash Friday, at the school. Law enforcement, first responders and medical personnel along with students staged the crash to show students the danger of impaired driving.
Chase Durio and Brayden Richard, juniors at Hathaway High School, check on victims in a mock fatal head-on collision involving a drunk driver. The demonstration was designed to help students make smart choices before getting behind the wheel drunk or getting in a car with an impaired driver.
Hathaway High School students got a sobering reminder Friday of the consequences and reality of drunk driving ahead of prom and graduation season.
Law enforcement, first responders and medical personnel, along with student actors staged a mock fatal head-on collision involving a drunk driver in the school’s parking lot to show juniors and seniors the danger of impaired driving.
“We know that prom season is coming up and are hoping to provide a demonstration as to the impact of making good decisions before getting behind the wheel,” Sgt. James Anderson of the Louisiana State Police said.
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of deaths and injuries among teens with excessive speed being the number one factor in most crashes, he said.
“Crashes do not discriminate,” Anderson said. “They are permanent and unexpected. We are always one decision away from a different life.”
Junior Madison Quebodeaux, who was taken away from the scene in a hearse after being ejected from the vehicle, said the collision was a scary reminder that you can always lose a loved one.
“I’m nervous because I never thought of this actually happening,” she said. “Hopefully it makes everyone really think and know the consequences of their actions.”
Junior Brayden Richard, who was the drunk driver taken away in handcuffs, said he hoped the mock crash would teach teens how serious drinking and driving or texting while driving can be.
Richard’s mother, Tessa, was emotional as she watched students covered in fake blood emerge from the mangled cars.
“I always fear this happening because I know they drink,” she said. “I hope this opens their eyes and they realize how fast things can happen.”
Teacher Jesse Thibodeaux said he hopes the Sudden Impact program helps students think about making smart choices before getting behind the wheel drunk or getting into a car with someone who is impaired.
“I hope they think about what they are doing and make the right choices,” he said.
Scott Kyle, director of emergency management at Lake Charles Memorial Health System, said the mock crash was held to “discourage and show the effects of distracted and impaired driving.”
“Hopefully this will have a huge impact on them and they can see it’s not all fun and games,” Kyle said. “People are killed every day in vehicle crashes. This is their chance to make the right decision and not get behind a wheel drunk or in a car with someone who has been drinking.”
