A Sobering Simulation

By Myrna Joy Wenger, Wayland Reporter

Wayland ? Our hearts skip a beat whenever we hear sirens, or pull over for a speeding ambulance. We ask ourselves, ?Is it someone we know?? When these sounds and sights took place in Wayland on Friday, residents reacted. Then when an Air Care Helicopter circled town and landed on the WACO Football field, residents panicked.

Thankfully, this was ?only? a simulation. One that showed students, faculty and by-standers what could happen in the case of a drunk-driving accident.

The simulation came to life after WACO student, Bryce Chunn, talked to Wayland?s Police Chief Ron Roth about hosting such an event. Together they made it happen. Therefore, on Friday, April 21st, an accident took place at WACO.

WACO High School students walked upon the scene of the accident at about 8:30 a.m. The accident site included: An old car. Four students. Theatrical make-up. Fake glass. Realistic wounds. Blood. Rescue ?heroes? in all manner of uniform.

As Wayland Fire Fighters used the jaws of life to dismantle the car, others got inside the vehicle to aid the trapped victims.

Students whispered. Others wiped tears from their eyes. Some wanted to be close to the action. Others hovered in the background. It was a bit too real. I found it hard to take pictures of the kids because I knew each and every one of them by name. Sobering.

Bryce Chunn played the part of the underage drunk driver. Halle Kissell and Kasey Sutton were backseat passengers. Bryce and Halle were lucky. They got off with ?minor? cuts and bruises. Kasey was in critical condition. She would require a trip on the MedAir helicopter. Chunn?s best friend, Cody Crawford, lay dead on the hood. Sobering.

As fire fighters and EMS crews assisted the wounded, Wayland?s Police Chief, Ron Roth, administered a sobriety test to driver, Bryce Chunn. He failed. Rich McNamee, Henry County Sheriff placed him in handcuffs before he was escorted to the Sheriff?s vehicle. Chunn watches friends being extricated from his wrecked car as Henry County Deputy Jason Sutton tells him he may be charged with homicide.

To create the event in ?real time? Henry County Sheriff?s department, Wayland Police and Fire Departments, Henry County Health Center Ambulance / EMS crew, MedAir, Henry County Attorney, a mortician, a few photographers, the crowd, passers-by, even family members were all involved. The pictures above show the EMS and Fire Fighters working to save the lives of the injured.

After the accident was cleared and the dead and injured taken away, an assembly was held in the gym. There was a casket in front of the students. A blue one. A picture of the deceased displayed on top. The gym was silent, save for the shuffling of nervous feet. Staring at the picture of their ?deceased? friend caused some to realize that ?this COULD happen here?.

Funeral Director, Tim Olson shared how these accidents, injuries and especially deaths affect people for the rest of their lives. The Henry County Attorney, Darin Stater, stated that Chunn would have been charged with homicide. He could serve up to 25 years as a felon in the prison system.

Principal Jeff Nance talked encouraging students to think carefully and work together, especially this coming weekend with Prom activities scheduled, to keep this simulated event from becoming a reality in our community.

During the assembly those who had helped make this possible lined the walls. As it drew to a close these brave men and women, still in full gear, stood behind the accident victims, also still in full make-up and wearing torn, blood splattered clothing. It was a striking pose.

Thank you to all those who not only made this simulation come to life, but who give of their time and energy to stand behind and with each of us in our darkest hours involving personal tragedies and death.

Hopefully, this simulation never makes it to ?real time?.

Hopefully, we will all think twice before driving under the influence ? whether it is alcohol, drugs, or cell phones.