Mock crash sends important message: Drive safely

Starla Pointer / News-Register##As community members and students watch from the grandstand, medics assist a "victim" of the mock crash Friday morning.

Starla Pointer / News-Register##Yamhill police officer Tom Hoy, right, and Carlton officer Robert Anderson administer a drunk driving test to student actor Cody Almond, who was playing the role of a drunk driver. The mock crash is made to seem as real as possible in order to hammer home the message about the dangers of drunk driving.

YAMHILL -- Students at Yamhill-Carlton High School received an unforgettable lesson Friday morning: A mock crash, complete with classmates dripping fake blood, reminded them to drive safely.

Yamhill and Carlton police and fire agencies set up the event, called SKID, or Stop Kids Intoxicated Driving.

The police, firefighters and medics said they would rather spend their time doing a demonstration like this than answering a real call involving the communities' young people.

Macy & Son sent a hearse to the scene at the Y-C High football stadium. The state coronor's office and a Life Flight helicopter also arrived, adding to the realistic experience.

The local agencies perform the SKID event every two years or so. Students volunteer to pretend they were involved in the crash.

This year, for the first time, parents and community members were invited to watch, as well.