"It's no different than Russian Roulette:" Students get up-close look at the dangers of distracted driving
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Hundreds of drivers die on Wisconsin roadways every year for various reason. However, distracted driving has been a big culprit. A local PTA is working to make a difference through the distracted driving series.
The Washington High School basketball team was driving to school after a big win! However, nobody is a winner today because the driver of this car was texting.
It is a mock crash, a simulation meant to motivate.
"It most definitely has changed my mind and should change anyone with a heart's mind," said Elliot Stokes Jr., senior basketball player at Washington High School.
Every day, millions of people are driving on state and local roadways -- and every day millions are distracted. And on Saturday, students got an up-close look at the effects of it.
"Our goal is to not so much advocate but educate against the dangers of distracted driving," said Bradford Valetta, Xzavier Davis-Bilbo's mom.
Xzavier David-Bilbo is now paralyzed from the waist down after being hit by a distracted driver. He's there today to be a living example of how texting and driving can alter your life forever.
"From that one second to the next it changed everything about our house," said Valetta.
The simulation felt as Flight for Life came to assist with the injured.
"I believe that if you don't put your phone down while driving, it's no different than Russian Roulette," said Washington Heights PTA President, Cynthia Williams.
Cynthia Williams lost her 17-year-old son to a distracted driving accident. She's turned her pain into passion by orchestrating these events. The main message of today, distracted driving is curable.
"This is not like AIDS or cancer, distracted driving is simply disciplining yourself to put your phone down and making a good decision while you're in the car," said Williams.
The mock crash and rescue was followed up by a mock funeral, complete with a real hearse and then a mock trial. All of this was put on to show those involved that distracted driving has the potential of changing your life forever.
Both Cynthia Williams and Bradford Valetta have formed non-profit foundations.
CLICK HERE for the X-Man Foundation.
CLICK HERE for the Love From Afar Foundation.