Grim exercise 'freaks out' Post Falls students
<p>The emergency helicopter, Med Star, lands in a nearby pasture during a mock crash simulation Tuesday on Cecil Road next to Post Falls High School. Emergency crews from local fire and police departments helped in the exercise as a way to raise awareness of the dangers of drinking and driving as students approach graduation.</p>
<p>Post Falls High School senior Brianna Perry watches the scene of a mock car accident from behind a chain link fence with class mates.</p>
POST FALLS - Kelsey Johnston said she was sick to her stomach Tuesday morning, but the Post Falls High senior said that was actually a good thing.
Johnston and her classmates, on the verge of graduating, had just witnessed a mock fatal DUI crash involving classmates on Cecil Road just east of the school as an intense reminder to not drink and drive.
"It freaks me out," Johnston said, appearing mesmerized over the scene even after the presentation ended.
Johnston said what affected her most was seeing classmate Jordan Johnston (no relation) draped on the hood of a car "dead."
The crash included the full gamut of what can take place after an accident, including response from law enforcement, EMTs, a chaplain and the MedStar helicopter; extricating screaming, bloody victims; testing the driver for DUI; interviewing witnesses; and notifying the fatal victims' parents.
Doug and Kim Mohney, parents of student victim Andrea Mohney, said they were willing to participate because, as difficult as it was at times, it's an important message to get across.
"It felt very surreal," Doug said.
Doug said such accidents not only affect those involved, but their friends and family as well.
"The next three weeks are critical times," he said. "It's easy to make a big mistake. We'll do anything we can to help."
Student Tori Rossmiller said it was "heart-wrenching" to hear what victims' parents would have to go through after their child has died.
"Having law enforcement visit your door is a parents' worst nightmare," Rossmiller said. "It was shocking to see what played out and to see your classmates in front of you like that."
Student crash participant Joel Schmuland, who was injured, called the exercise "pretty rough."
"It was a lot more real than I thought it would be," he said.
Participants included, but were not limited to, organizer Jennifer Ramb, Kootenai County Fire and Rescue, Post Falls Police, Kootenai County Sheriff's Department, Idaho State Police, MedStar, Kootenai County Substance Abuse Council, Kootenai Alliance of Children and Families and high school students and staff.
Student participant Josh Wilhelm said the visual reminder drove home the point better than another person saying to not drink and drive.
"Everybody acts like it's not a big deal, but when they see this it is," Wilhelm said.
After a deputy gave the student drunk driver a field sobriety test, he took him over to look at the fatal victims, his classmates.
"This is what you caused," the deputy firmly told the driver. "Guess what? They're dead."
Katelyn Loper was among the students who were convinced after the mock crash.
"I'll never drink and drive," she said.