On day of prom, simulation shows tragic impact that can result from drunk driving

Albion students urged to be responsible, show care for each other during season of prom, grad parties

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Firefighters and medics tend to Alonzo Figueroa Fuentes, an Albion senior in a DWI crash simulation this morning outside the high school. Fuentes was removed from the vehicle with cutting tools and then placed on a stretcher and taken by ambulance.

The simulation was before the senior prom this evening at Hickory Ridge Country Club.

Local first responders and the high school wanted to show what could be the tragic results of driving while drunk, distracted or overly tired. The time from Memorial Day to Labor Day is considered the “100 most deadliest days” for driving, with many high schoolers and young adults out late at parties.

Jackie Santiago Garcia, an Albion senior, wore a formal gown and makeup to look bloodied. She checks on a friend in one of the smashed up vehicles.

Willem De Ruysscher, in back, checks on Gina Sidari who was splayed on the front hood.

Dominick Sidari, an Albion firefighter, checks on Jackie Santiago Garcia during the simulation. She was treated for a wound to her arm.

Albion firefighters have helped with the simulation on the day of the prom for many years. Albion firefighter Pete Sidari told students that firefighters respond to many serious car accidents each year.

Cory Martindale, a deputy with the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department, administers a breathalzyer to Willem De Ruysscher after he struggled to walk in a straight line.

Amy Sidari, mother of Gina Sidari, is overcome seeing her daughter lying on the car. Gina in the simulation was pronounced deceased by County Coroner Scott Schmidt, who was assisted by Paula Fuller, a funeral director with Mitchell Family Cremations and Funerals.

After the accident simulation, there was a court proceeding at the LGI in the high school. About 100 students saw Willem De Ruysscher be arraigned and then sentenced by Albion Town Justice Joe Fuller to 12 to 15 years in state prison for first-degree vehicular manslaughter and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. De Ruysscher also had his license revoked and was ordered to have no contact with the Sidari family.

District Attorney Joe Cardone, standing next to De Ruysscher, said that although De Ruysscher has no prior criminal background, and has shown remorse, a fatal accident from drunk driving will affect his life forever and result in incarceration.

Assistant District Attorney Susan Howard acted as the prosecutor and said the crime warrants substantial incarceration.

“This inflicted dire consequences on everyone involved,” Howard said.

Mary Wright, a prevention education with UConnectCare (formerly GCASA), discussed “Red Watch Bands” which were given to the students to remind them about the dangers of binge drinking.

Boys (men) are in danger of losing consciousness if they have five or more alcoholic drinks in two hours, while girls (women) could suffer alcohol poisoning with four or more drinks within two hours.

Wright urged the group to look after each other, and call for help immediately if they see someone who is vomiting from alcohol, or if they don’t respond when shouted at, if they have very slow breathing, can’t stand up, have pale/bluish skin or an irregular/slow pulse.

“Have a culture of respect and care because that is someone’s child and loved one,” Wright said. “We are a community here. We love each other. We want to take care of each other.”