Lesson In Tragedy

Falconer Holds Mock DWI Accident

By S. Alexander Gerould agerould@post-journal.com
FALCONER — Two smashed cars stood as solemn reminders on the football field as groups of students walked slowly away from the scene.

With proms at many area schools quickly approaching, members of area emergency crews, the Ellicott Police Department, Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office, the county coroner’s office, a Starflight rescue team and members of the student body staged a mock DWI accident on Thursday at Falconer Junior-Senior High School.

Rescue crews used the ‘‘jaws of life’’ to remove one ‘‘victim’’ from a vehicle, while a police officer conducted a sobriety test on one of the drivers. Starflight was also called to transport an injured passenger, while a hearse arrived to remove another ‘‘victim.’’

‘‘It’s a reality and it happens,’’ said Jim Quattrone, a member of the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office.

Before the students assembled at the football field, Quattrone and other law enforcement officials discussed in the school’s auditorium what could happen if someone drinks and drives.

According to Mike Mason, a Chautauqua County Sheriff’s deputy, the maximum fine for DWI is $1,000, not to mention the other consequences which will follow such as having the person’s name placed in the newspaper, missing school for legal reasons and facing insurance increases, which, he noted, one study showed can increase $30,000 during a 10-year time period than regularly scheduled.

‘‘To be honest with you, it’s not worth it,’’ Mason said. ‘‘We’ve got about 1,000 DWI arrests in this county every year. We have ... fatal accidents every year.’’

For Quattrone, the topic brought back sad memories of one of his friends from high school. On a Sunday, he was called to investigate a crash involving a Ford Mustang hitting a tree. Once he got to the scene, he recognized the vehicle as his friend’s car.

‘‘It’s almost been 20 years to the day I had the inopportune time to investigate my first fatal motor vehicle accident,’’ Quattrone said. ‘‘I remember to this day exactly what I was doing when I received that call.’’

Quattrone said his friend’s girlfriend and a few other people were also riding in the car. They all escaped unharmed.

‘‘No one else in that car was injured,’’ he said.

When his friend’s mother arrived at the scene, she quickly approached Quattrone and asked him for an update. Lying to her, Quattrone told her her son was ‘‘in the best hands.’’

‘‘Even to this day, I still feel this feeling of being upset,’’ he said.

At the hospital, the friend was pronounced dead, and, when the man’s father showed up, Quattrone said he wasn’t going to face him.

‘‘For 20 years his father still won’t admit he was intoxicated,’’ Quattrone said. ‘‘I know he was intoxicated.’’

Quattrone urged the students to constantly be aware of their surroundings when they are driving, adding they should try to keep distractions — such as the radio or doing hair or make-up — to a minimum. He also said 17,000 people are killed each year by drunk drivers.

‘‘It’s all about choices,’’ Quattrone said. ‘‘It’s not worth the risks.’’



Quote: ‘‘It’s all about choices. It’s not worth the risks.’’ Jim Quattrone, Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office



Question:Are teens educated enough about the dangers of drunk driving?