Kendall, in crash simulation, sends message about dangers of drinking and driving

Photos by Tom Rivers

KENDALL – Bailey Schultz is covered in fake blood in a simulated car crash this morning at Kendall Junior-Senior High School. Five Kendall students role played in a message for their classmates about the dangers of drinking and driving.

Kendall did the event a day before Friday’s prom which will be at the White Birch Golf Course in Lyndonville.

Firefighters and school officials told students to avoid driving if they’ve been drinking alcohol, or if they are overly tired or texting. And that message applies at all the times, especially during the prom and upcoming season of graduation parties.

“Drinking and driving is not an option,” said Melissa Strelick, the school’s principal. “You need to look out for each other. This is totally avoidable.”

Kendall firefighters work to take apart the roof of the car, peeling back the metal. There were students inside to be rescued.

Kendall has done the simulation each year before the prom since at least 2013.
“It’s for the kids to show the effects of drinking and driving, texting and driving, and any impairments,’ said Mike Schultz, a lieutenant with the Kendall FD.

His daughter was one of the “injured” students. Schultz said it was painful to see his daughter in the simulation and he had to walk away because he was feeling so emotional.

Sgt. Adam Hazel of the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office does a DWI field sobriety test on Hunter Richards, who portrayed a drunk driver. He was handcuffed and led away in a patrol car.

Hazel spoke to the students and told them a fatal car accident can devastate the entire community.

“You have to make good decisions,” Hazel said.

Monroe Ambulance medics have Jimmie Swift on a stretcher. He was one of three students taken away by ambulance as part of today’s simulation. Gracie Robb and Lucas Jones also portrayed injured students who needed ambulance transport.

About 100 students in the junior and senior classes watched the simulation this morning.

Orleans County Chief Coroner Scott Schmidt comforts Karen Jones, who was the “acting mom” for Bailey Schultz. Schmidt pronounced her deceased at the scene and covered her with a blanket. Jones is also Kendall’s director of transportation.

Kendall firefighters take off the windshield in one of the cars. The event is also a recruitment effort for the department. After the simulation, Fire Chief Randy Davis encouraged the students to get a close look at the fire apparatus and tools. Davis said about eight students in recent years have joined the department after seeing the DWI crash simulation.

A1 Towing & Auto in Holley donated the two vehicles for today’s simulation.