The Pattonville Police and Fire Departments were dispatched to the high school parking lot where a car crash was reported. The two-car accident was caused by a drunken driver. There was one fatality and one arrest made. But the entire scene was part of Operation Prom Safe staged by the school to teach students about the dangers of drinking and driving.

Juniors and seniors attended Operation Prom Safe on May 2, the day before prom. This presentation was intended to warn students of the dangers of drunk driving and texting while driving.

After a simulated accident where the police and fire fighters made arrests, cut and removed victims from the cars, and dealt with telling a family member about the death of their daughter, students went to the auditorium to hear from professionals about the risks and real-life situations of driving while impaired.

Below is the video from the event including Coach Beckmann’s speech from the presentation (Video by Erin Leventhal. Edited by Allison Leventhal):