SADD hopes mock crash keeps kids from real thing
By Cheryl Holladay

MOCK HEAD TRAUMA (Above) Cody Sprague, a sophomore at Roscommon High School, volunteers as a "victim" in a mock crash Tuesday, hosted by Students Against Destructive Decisions. Both he and the other live victim, Jessica Nykanen, suffered from massive head trauma and were treated by Gerrish Township EMS. Unfortunately, the dummy, "Resusa Annie," died in the accident. (Right) RHS student Eli Weber demonstrates what a drunk driver might look like taking a sobriety test during SADD's mock accident scene. Gerrish Township Officer Josh Bermester, an RHS graduate, administered the test before "arresting" him on a charge of driving while intoxicated, causing death. (CHP)

Driving home the message of the consequences of drunk driving, members of Roscommon High School's Students Against Destructive Decisions organized a mock crash Tuesday for their peers to witness. The demonstration was held in conjunction with the Gerrish Township Fire Department Explorers unit, which consists of several RHS students.

SADD President Keely Flannigan helped organize the crash, which included emergency personnel from the Gerrish Township Police Department, Roscommon County Sheriff's Department, Gerrish Township Fire Department and EMS, and Explorers unit. Explorer Advisor Jim Fisher, EMT and captain of the fire depart- ment, said the vehicle used in the crash was donated by Auto Recyclers.

SADD, led by Advisor Nikki Petrosky, hopes to keep kids safe by showing what a crash looks like. The mock scene was held in the school parking lot.

Roscommon Central Dispatch toned out a personal injury accident call at about 1:30 p.m. and the exercise began.

Explorer members used the Jaws of Life to peel off the vehicle's roof to get to the victim, a "Resusa Annie" dummy who died in the crash. Explorers include Capt. Gage Kelly, Lt. Dane Garber, Secretary Frances Wallace, Treasurer Zach Richard, Stephen Tackett, Vince Austin, Shane Krause and Collin Nimke.

Live victims, Cody Sprague and Jessica Nykanen, lay on the ground nearby, each with massive head trauma, waiting for paramedics to arrive. Student volunteer Eli Weber could be seen taking a sobriety test in the parking, under the supervision of Gerrish Township Officer Josh Burmester, a Roscommon High School graduate. Weber was then "arrested" on a charge of driving while intoxicated, causing death, a 15-year felony.

Flannigan, who hopes to pursue a law enforcement career, said SADD members work to educate their peers on the consequences of drunk driving.

Petrosky agreed. "They don't want to see a tragedy happen here," she said.