Mock accident delivers critical message to MVHS students 

By MARIE MCCOLM 

MONTE VISTA – Monte Vista High School students looked solemnly at a two-vehicle mock car accident outside the high school on Thursday, March 26. The accident depicted six of their fellow students deceased, along with three survivors. 

Many of the students in the crowd who viewed the accident looked perplexed and a couple of the girls who were watching and standing near each other were heard saying, “If that was real, it would really be hard to deal with.”  

Every year Melissa Harlan of the Monte Vista School District creates this for students so that they can see the harsh reality of something happening to students who choose to attend prom and drink and drive. Harlan stated she feels it’s important for students to see what could come out of using alcohol while attending prom and drinking and driving as it not only effects the students who could potentially be drinking but it also effects their family members, and fellow students as well as other members of the community including their teachers. 

The mock accident began in the high school gymnasium with a film that the actors of the mock accident put together. High school student actors were depicted in the film talking about scholarships that they had received to potentially continue their education elsewhere. 

Three of the girls were super excited about receiving scholarships and talked about celebrating at the prom. The girls were later seen driving a vehicle in prom dresses, with the driver really wanting to celebrate and passing alcoholic beverages to everyone in the car. They were all talking and laughing and drinking and did not see the other vehicle that was coming toward them. The other vehicle was being driven by Science Teacher Loree Harvey who had a car full of students. They were just returning from a big Science Fair, when the car full of students who were driving under the influence collided with theirs.  

After the students watched how the accident happened in the gymnasium they were taken to the scene of the mock accident outside. Harvey was seen immediately leaving the wrecked car she was driving to try to help the students and see if everyone was OK. 

Harvey had blood pouring from her head and appeared to also have bruises around her eyes. She called for help, and as soon as she did local law enforcement, as well as the fire department and ambulance crew showed up to aid in the accident. 

Law enforcement could be seen working on the driver of the other vehicle who had a faint pulse but was covered in blood. Harvey also tried to help and give various forms of resuscitation, but to no avail. 

It was finally realized that many of the students involved had passed away. The local coroner Stephen Hunzeker was also present and he along with first responders began covering the deceased students and putting them into body bags. 

Someone dressed as the grim reaper was also seen walking through the accident, to depict death and how it had come for many of the students involved in the accident.  

Everyone was then taken back into the gymnasium where they were shown a movie of actual footage from deadly car wrecks, due to drinking and driving.  

There was also a question-and-answer period given where first responders along with law enforcement officers answered questions. 

The main actress in the mock accident who was drinking and driving Hannah Henderhan stated that although the accident was just a scenario, with her being involved in it, it really made her think, “When you are going through the motions, and you see all of the people involved, something like this really makes you realize that it’s not just about your life, there are nine other people involved here, it’s about their lives too.” 

Henderhan stated that she hopes that the impact on her fellow students from seeing this would be that they would see how dangerous it is to drink and drive and it would stop them from doing it.  

Harlan thanked everyone who helped make the mock accident possible. 

“We would like to thank everyone who helped make our mock accident event possible. A huge thank you to the Monte Vista PD, State Patrol, fire department, EMTs, the coroner, and the City of Monte Vista for allowing us to use their lot and for bringing realism that helped us understand the seriousness of these situations. We also appreciate the Monte Vista High School staff and Principal Vance for their support, along with Xavion for the incredible makeup work that made the scene feel real. A special thank you to Louie at Colorado Recycling for providing the cars used in the event. Thank you to the newspaper for sharing the event, and to the Monte Vista Student Council (StuCo) and the Science Fair for putting everything together and helping organize the event. This was a powerful experience, and we are grateful to everyone involved.”