The Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) Club from Mexico High School staged a Mock DWI event, sending a powerful reminder to classmates during prom and dance season that impaired or reckless driving can have devastating consequences.

Students acted out a fatal Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) crash scenario in the Mexico High School student parking lot, while local emergency responders and investigators recreated the response to the scene.

The scenario unfolded with striking realism as student actors portrayed injured victims, while firefighters worked to cut apart vehicles and emergency personnel treated and removed those involved. Law enforcement officers documented the crash scene as part of the simulation.

Following the staged crash, students heard emotional stories from individuals impacted by impaired and reckless driving. A mock trial and sentencing also took place, followed by a mock funeral service for the student actor portrayed as having died in the crash.

Officials have previously said the Mock DWI event not only highlights the dangers of impaired driving for students, but also provides valuable hands-on training opportunities for first responders to practice patient removal techniques and emergency response procedures in a controlled environment.

Organizations and volunteers who helped organize and participate in the Mock DWI included the Oswego County Stop DWI Program workers and guest speakers, Oswego County 9-1-1, Mexico Fire Department, Palermo Fire Department, New Haven Fire Department, McFee Ambulance, New York State Troopers, Oswego County Sheriff’s Office, Harter Funeral Home, the Oswego County District Attorney’s Office and Assistant District Attorney, Judge Hafner from Hannibal, Colosse Junkyard, Mexico High School JROTC, special effects make-up volunteers, Mexico High School Tech Team and drone students, Mexico High School custodial staff and Mexico Central School District grounds workers, as well as Jake Herrick, Carolee McCoy and Kristen Matteson.

Students from the Mexico High School SADD Club who participated in the Mock DWI included Emily McCoy, Nataleigh Smith, Jenna Ricker, Kenzie Hopp, Madison Hopp, Jackie McAuslan, Josie Metcalf, Kinzy Laffan, Catherine Nickolas, Kylee Seymore, Anna Fox, Cynthia Greene-Ward and Olivia Buckley.