Local emergency services pulled together today to offer students a front row seat to observe the negative impacts of poor decisions.  Bargersville Community and White River Twp. Fire Departments along with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Department staged the scenario at Center Grove High School.  Students were escorted to the scene of a head on collision involving high school aged students.  Battalion Chief Mike Morris gave the background of the accident explaining that the driver was intoxicated and distracted by others in the vehicle.  Once the call was dispatched over the radio, fire, rescue, and police units arrived and went to work.  As the victims were cut from the vehicles Chief Morris spoke to the students about the importance of good decision making and positive peer pressure.  "I have children this age who attend this school system. I have grown close to many of their friends."  Chief Morris explained.  "If we can influence them to make good choices and look out for each other we have done our job." 

    Along with seeing potentially injured and dead passengers being removed from the cars, the students saw the "intoxicated" driver attempt and fail a field sobriety test. He was then handcuffed and placed in a Sheriff's car.  The event was planned to coincide with this weekend’s prom activities.  Lt. Nick Alford said "This is as close to real as you can get, hopefully they (the students) take the true meaning of this as they get ready for prom."  Each year nationwide high school students are killed or injured in drinking related accidents during prom.  The event also stressed the importance of not driving distracted by texting.  The 3 agencies, along with the school administration, worked together very well planning the event.  To see other pictures from the event, click HERE to be directed to the Bargersville Fire Department website.