Mock crash shows NPHS students dangers of driving under the influence

Tuesday, April 26, 2016
Students James Duncan (from left), Payton Lyons and Christa McRoy dot the scene Tuesday as McRoy explains her actions to Roachdale Town Marshal Mike Mahoy. (Banner Graphic/NICK WILSON)

BAINBRIDGE -- A terrible yet strictly metaphorical scene was witnessed by hundreds of North Putnam High School students Tuesday afternoon.

Six student-actors, four fire departments, two rescue teams and two police departments collaborated for weeks in advance to set up a mock-crash scenario in the high school's west parking lot ahead of this weekend's prom activities.

Though fun and excitement are encouraged by all for those attending the proverbial prom night, the also notorious evening annually spells disaster for many young adults around the country.

North Putnam High School Principal Jason Chew, however, hopes not to see any of his students' names added to that list.

The presentation, he said, will help with that.

"Luckily, I have not had to add any names to that list," Chew said as he addressed his students during a subsequent convocation in the school's gymnasium. "I'd like to keep that record perfect. Do the right thing, be smart. I've talked to you before about drugs and alcohol, but the things in your pocket are just as dangerous.

"Distracted driving kills."

Putnam County Sheriff's Department deputy Elizabeth Campbell (left) interrogates student Shawn Barnett during the mock-crash scenario Tuesday at North Putnam High School. (Banner Graphic/NICK WILSON)

The scene, which was already in place at 12:45 p.m. when more than 400 students converged outside the building, showed two vehicles in a head-on collision with six students (two in a coupe and four in a sedan) found unresponsive.

When the canvases covering the "accident" were finally removed, teens saw fellow students Shawn Barnett, Payton Lyons, James Duncan, Christa McRoy, Dalton Krominaker and Chelsea Cox in rather disturbing conditions.

Indiana State Police Trooper Charlie Boller was also on scene with loudspeakers to enact a sort of command center through which students could hear what an actual dispatch would be for the scenario.

North Putnam Director of Operations Dr. Terry Tippin and ISP Trooper Cory Robinson coordinated the opening sequences, explaining the scenario to the Banner Graphic in the process.

"McRoy was in the middle of sending a text message while driving," Robinson said. "She failed to observe a stopsign at an intersection ... and failed to yield to an oncoming car driven by Barnett.

"As a result ... Lyons died instantly and Krominaker sustained critical injuries, requiring transport by helicopter," Robinson continued. "After investigation ... McRoy was at fault and Barnett was found to be under the influence."

As workers began to clear the scene of debris and remove the victims from the vehicles, both Barnett and McRoy were metaphorically arrested and taken away, showing the consequences of such actions in front of the large crowd of students.

Other victims were taken away via ambulance with Krominaker air-lifted to St. Vincent Health.

Stat Flight provided helicopter services Tuesday.

An indoor convocation followed the outdoor presentation Tuesday where three speakers divulged their personal experiences.

Brittany Hardy was the first to speak. Hardy was involved in a horrific crash when she was in high school in the early 2000s, herself ejected from the vehicle and thrown "the distance of a basketball court."

"I was 15 when it happened and it's taken 15 years to come to terms with it," Hardy said. "I've spent the same amount of time recovering from that bad decision as I had lived at that point."

Another speaker, Barbara Wey, had been recently charged with an OWI (Operating While Intoxicated), resulting in severe injury.

"I made a bad decision and it will haunt me for the rest of my life," she said.

Lastly, Putnam County Prosecutor Tim Bookwalter spoke, giving examples of cases he has seen, noting an average of one death via OWI occurs annually in Putnam County.

"I had fun at my prom and we want you to have fun at yours," Bookwalter said. "Just don't lose your common sense. Be smart."

Prosecutor Tim Bookwalter describes a few of the cases he sees annually in Putnam County to North Putnam students Tuesday. (Banner Graphic/NICK WILSON)

Trooper Robinson ended the convocation with a heart-felt speech.

"This is what we do not want to have happen to you," Robinson said, citing the many examples given by the special speakers. "When you are the driver of a car, you are responsible for your occupants' lives.

"Do not take it for granted, ever."

Fire departments from Bainbridge, Roachdale, Russellville and Floyd Township were present, as well as authorities from the Putnam County Sheriff's Department and Roachdale Police Department.

Representatives, volunteers and emergency workers were also present from multiple agencies, including PMH Ambulance, Stat Flight, the Putnam County Prosecutor's Office, Seniour's Towing and the Putnam County Coroner's Office.

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  • (Brittney Hardy) I would like to note that alcohol was NOT involved in the accident I was speaking about during today's convocation. The "bad decision" I was referring to was the decision to NOT wear my seatbelt. I am very grateful for the opportunity to use my personal experience to assist students in making safe decisions. I just wanted to clarify drugs or alcohol were not involved in any way.

    -- Posted by BHardy on Tue, Apr 26, 2016, at 10:08 PM
  • As the mother of the young man who was killed in the accident Brittney Hardy spoke of in her talk, I would like to reinforce her statement that alcohol was not involved in any way, nor were drugs. However, the decision to unbuckle their seatbelts was not a good one ( they did not want to get their prom clothes wrinkled).

    I applaud Brittney for her courage to speak about the accident, and if her talk makes one student think twice, and buckle up...it is worth it. Saving one life, saving the grief parents, family and friends go through at the loss of a child, it is worth using your voice and speaking up, even when the memories are painful. Thank you for your bravery Brittney Nees Hardy. You are truly a gift to your students, and to me. Pamela (Johnson) Roberts

    -- Posted by pamkrobs on Tue, Apr 26, 2016, at 10:41 PM
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