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Thursday morning, as I sprinted from the parking lot to the
front doors of the local high school, leaping over deep puddles in a
driving rain with camera bag in hand, I thought “why would they want to
go ahead with this mock crash?” I had covered several mock crashes in
the past, while working at other newspapers. Usually they were held on
a nice, sunny spring day.
Mock crashes are a good idea…especially in the spring of the year, right before prom and graduation. But in the driving rain?
The mock crash at Caledonia Area Middle School/High School was to be
held in the back parking lot. As I walked through the commons area to
the back of the school, members of the SADD (Students Against
Destructive Decisions) Chapter were handing out black garbage bags for
spectators to use as rain coats. I didn’t take a garbage bag, because I
wasn’t sure how I could operate my camera, while clad in a black
plastic container that normally holds refuse.
A large section of bleachers had been situated in the back parking lot,
and a number of rain-drenched students were adjusting a large, blue
tarp over what looked like two cars. The entire student body, and much
of the school staff filed out of the protection of the warm, dry
school, and into the pouring rain. A thoughtful young lady (actually
one of the student yearbook staffers) offered me an umbrella. I thanked
her and began taking photos of the garbage-bag-clad students, who were
discovering just how cold and wet the aluminum bleachers were.
Large PA speakers, also covered with garbage bags, began to play party
music. Then a dialog could be heard, where students were discussing
their after prom party plans. ‘Do we have enough beer?” “Where should
we go partying?” Then car motors revving, female voices encouraging
their boyfriends to slow down, screeching tires, screams, a loud crash,
and the large blue tarp was removed. Two junked cars were situated to
simulate a car accident. One body (Ryan Goetzinger) was laying
motionless in a pool of rain and blood.
Suddenly a young lady, dressed in a blood-smeared blue prom dress
(Kelsey Connor) crawled out of the car, ran over to Goetzinger and
began screaming, “Ryan wake up, please get up.” A second prom-gown-clad
teen (Jenna Schmitz) got out of one of the cars and rushed to
Goetzinger were she began screaming and crying with Connor. She then
pulled out a cell phone and dialed 911.
The driver of the other car (Kody Moore) emerged from the second car,
with blood on his prom shirt, hands, and face. Two other teens (Chelsea
McManimon-Moe and Alek Eglinton) were trapped in the back seat of the
second car.
Sirens could be heard. Two Caledonia Police cars, then a Houston County
Sheriff’s patrol and two Caledonia Area Ambulance units arrived.
Emergency responders went to Goetzinger first and determined he was
dead. Then they started checking on the trapped teens, Connor, Schmitz,
and Moore for injuries.
The Caledonia Fire Department was next on the scene. Firemen and EMTs
worked to free the trapped teens with the jaws of life. A police
officer started conducting a field sobriety test on Moore. EMTs tried
to console Connor and Schmitz who became hysterical when they saw the
county coroner put a white sheet over Goetzinger. Moore was handcuffed
and hauled off in a squad car. The two trapped teens were freed from
the car, put on stretchers and hauled off in the ambulances. Goetzinger
was also put on a stretcher and loaded into a hearse.
The student body was then asked to file into the gym. As they did, they
passed by a closed casket, a table filled with Goetzinger’s athletic
awards, and a photo display of the young man’s life.
Caledonia Police Officer Chad Heuser then reviewed what had just
happened. Ryan Goetzinger was dead. Two other teens were in critical
condition. Moore was facing numerous charges, including three counts of
manslaughter, and DUI.
High School Principal Ron Helmers told the student body the mock crash
was conducted to impress on the teens just how dangerous drinking and
driving is. He urged the students to keep the terrible images they just
witnessed in their minds. “We want to keep you safe. We want you to
have a fun prom weekend, free of alcohol,” he added. Then he thanked
all those responsible for making the mock crash so dramatic and
realistic.
Like I said, I wondered why they decided to go ahead with the mock
crash in the pouring rain. I wasn’t outside in the rain for five
minutes when I realized what a tremendous impact the weather had on the
event and those attending it. Had it been a bright, sunny day, with
blue skies, I’m sure many would have been day dreaming and glad to be
outdoors and not in the classroom. The dark, cold, rainy day brought
the reality of just what could happen to the vast majority of those
students.
I scanned the student body. I didn’t see anyone laughing or goofing
around. They were glued to what was unfolding before them. I saw many
tears, and many intent students.
I would personally like to thank the SADD members, their advisor Kay
Dahle, the school administration and everyone else who made this event
possible. Hopefully it will save a
life.
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