Murphy At 1 p.m. March 19, tarps covered two vehicles as well as two bodies on the Murphy High School football field prior to unveiling a horrific scene.
Laying on the ground was a terrifying, yet staged, scenario intended to prevent teen drinking and driving.
Ranger Volunteer Fire Department Chief Mike Taylor also teaches public safety, and several of his students lie on the ground near the vehicles simulating a realistic drunk driving scene that left several folks emotional. One of the vehicles was on fire and there were other patients trapped inside the vehicles.
Numerous cans of what appeared to be alcoholic beverages were strewn about near the two vehicles. Joking and kidding around in the audience amongst some students prior to the event, quickly turned somber.
Mayor Tim Radford narrated the tragedy, which started with several teenagers partying prior to getting behind the wheel of a vehicle on prom night. The simulation took place in real time and displayed the scene as it would have looked had it actually happened in real life.
The narrative along with the visual scenario on the field moved through the different stages of the two vehicle accident. It included a 911 call, which was heard through speakers, then officers, fire and ambulance personnel began arriving on the scene. The scenario also depicted the conversations of friends and parents of the victims before arriving, then once again at the accident site.
From there, the scenario moved into the stages of injuries and a fatality. Everyone could hear screaming and crying from the scene below. The bleachers were full, as almost the entire school attended the event.
Also arriving at the scene was the “Grim Reaper” dressed in black that stood over the deceased person. A Hearst drove onto the field to pick up the body and a medical flight helicopter landed for a severely injured subject. Others were loaded into ambulances and taken away.
The “driver” of one accident vehicle was taken into custody by the N.C. Highway Patrol and charged with DWI, speeding and felony death by a motor vehicle.
Then a moving poem was heard about being too young to die and the disbelief that arises out of the realization surrounding the gravity of the tragic event. Somber background music could also be heard at different times throughout the unfolding life-like scenario.
The program, “Choices 2024,” was dedicated to the memory of students who died in automobile crashes. It lasted about 45 minutes.
In the United States on average, nine high school age teenagers die in an automobile crash each day, everyday, all year long. Automobile crashes no matter what the circumstances; careless driving, speeding, not wearing seatbelts, as well as texting and drinking while driving cause the most devastating outcomes.
“Today, Choices 2024 starkly reminded us of the lethal consequences of impaired and distracted driving. As mayor, I implore Murphy’s youth: every decision behind the wheel can be life-altering. Value your life and others’ – make safe, responsible choices. I also want to express my sincere appreciation to all those who came together to share this eye-opening simulation to Murphy High School students,” Radford said.
There are plans to take the scenario and its drunk driving message to other local schools.
“The event was a valuable opportunity for students to grasp the significance of safe driving, not just on Prom Night, but whenever they are behind the wheel. One of the key goals of the event was to emphasize that an accident doesn’t just affect the individual involved, but can have far-reaching effects,” said Keevin Woody, superintendent of Cherokee County Schools. “I want to extend a thank you to all the departments and businesses that generously supported Murphy High School in organizing and executing this event. Your contributions were necessary for the success of the event.”
“We hope that one person makes a better choice after seeing our presentation. We don’t want to lose anymore of our friends or loved ones over bad choices,” Taylor added.