Fairfield Ludlowe HS mock crash demonstration spotlights dangers of impaired driving

Fairfield police, firefighters, and paramedics teamed up with the high school's Students Against Drunk Driving and Raising Abuse Awareness for Teens clubs to perform a scene in which drinking and driving on prom night ended with a fatal crash.

Apr 26, 2023, 5:00 PM

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Updated 558 days ago

Fairfield Ludlowe High School held its annual mock crash demonstration Wednesday to spotlight the dangers of impaired driving.

The demonstration took place for the junior class ahead of prom and graduation season.

"Making a couple of poor choices can affect your life forever," Fire Lt. Robert Smith said.

Fairfield police, firefighters, and paramedics teamed up with the high school's Students Against Drunk Driving and Raising Abuse Awareness for Teens clubs to perform a scene in which drinking and driving on prom night ended with a fatal crash.

"It was pretty awful hearing everyone cry and stuff," student performer Elizabeth Brewer said.

"You kind of just go into shock because you don't expect it to feel as real as it does," Maddie Smith, another student performer, added.

During the demonstration, firefighters pulled an injured passenger from a wrecked car. Another passenger was pronounced dead, and the driver was placed in handcuffs.

"They're given the responsibility of operating a car, so we want to make sure they understand the repercussions of bad decisions behind the wheel," Police Sgt. Evan Kaesmann said.

Kaesmann says minors can be charged with driving under the influence if their blood alcohol content is 0.02% or higher.

"The penalties that could be imposed whether they're 16, 17, 18 are the same as someone over the age of 21, so it's something that's taken very seriously," Kaesmann said.

Kaesmann says marijuana impairment is also a concern, more so now following the legalization of recreational marijuana in Connecticut.

"It still holds the same fines and penalties imposed by the court as the consumption of alcohol and operating a vehicle," Kaesmann said.

"Just get an Uber, it's not worth the risk," student performer Cayla Riordan added.