Sobering lesson: Mock crash teaches students effects of drunk, distracted driving

GREENFIELD (WITI) -- The blood, the screams and the injuries are fake, but the scenario is real and scary. Greenfield High School students were given a sobering lesson on drunk and distracted driving on Thursday, September 18th -- as officials set up a "mock crash."

In the real-life scenario that played out at Greenfield High School, there were three teenagers fighting for their lives -- and one that had already passed. It was all a drill -- but for many, it was frighteningly real.

The first responders went into action, removing all the injured teens from the wreckage of a car crash. Just like a real accident, these students didn't see it coming.

"I was sad actually -- because what if it was real? Those are people I know, and then they're gone or hurt. It was sad," said student Alicia Davilai.

What's really sad -- the decisions that led to the crash -- drinking and driving or texting and driving. They're things that happen every day.

"It's definitely a real thing. Nothing bad has happened so far and that's a good thing, but I hope this like, opens people's eyes to not actually do it because it is a real problem," said student Vesna Ceko.

As the first responders carried the last victim away, they hoped this would be the last accident scene these students ever see.

"We think it's worth it if we change one decision. We hopefully can change more, but even one decision, we feel like we've succeeded," said Jon Cohn, Greenfield Fire Chief.

Later on Thursday, the students came together again for a video presentation -- and to learn about the short and long-term effects of the injuries the students suffered in the mock crash.