WALKER, Mich. — Comstock Park High School staged a realistic car crash demonstration Wednesday afternoon to highlight the dangers of distracted driving.
The event involved multiple emergency response teams, including the Plainfield and Alpine Township Fire Departments, Kent County Sheriff's deputies, Life EMS, Rockford Ambulance, and AeroMed. The simulation featured student actors portraying crash victims, illustrating serious injuries and one fatality.
According to Jessica Herrington, a Fire and Life Safety Educator at Plainfield Fire Department, the demonstration was aimed at raising awareness among students, particularly before prom season. “We want to show them what could happen if they aren't paying attention,” she stated.
Senior Broque Twitchell, a participant in the simulation, emphasized the real-world dangers he has observed as a newly licensed driver. “I see so many people on their phones and distracted,” he said. His solution has been to keep his phone out of sight while driving.
The impact of the demonstration was heightened by the involvement of peers, driving home the risks associated with distracted driving. Herrington remarked, “Students know the individuals involved, making the experience very real for them.”
The event followed a previous “Think Fast” driving simulation assembly earlier this spring, focusing on distracted and impaired driving statistics. The crash simulation served as an emotional capstone to ongoing safety education efforts at the school.