Teens witness tragedy at Timberlake mock DUI crash

SPIRIT LAKE — Sirens, speeding first responders and screams rang out from the high school Wednesday morning.

Although this “emergency” was fake, its message was dead serious.

More than a dozen first responders, emergency medical services, fire departments and Life Flight simulated a fatal DUI collision on the grounds between Timberlake Middle and High Schools as part of a pre-graduation warning, driving home the fact that students watching should not drink and drive, or it could lead to fatal consequences. 

During the 60-minute scenario, students gathered behind the yellow tape while they watched their closest friends being “extricated” from the two collided vehicles. An air ambulance transported one, while another was pronounced "dead at the scene," evoking strong emotions from the students watching. The driver was taken into custody, emphasizing the legal consequences of a DUI crash.

The annual mock car crash warns graduating seniors of the dangers of driving under the influence.

"This could happen to anybody," said Ben Wheeler, Timberlake's school resource officer. "Someday one of their friends or you could be impacted greatly by somebody getting into a severe fatal crash."

The annual mock crash demonstrates just how fatal drinking and driving can be, and how it affects not just one person but entire communities.

"Denise Berbig (Timberlake head custodian) acting as a mom felt really realistic," Timberlake student Emily Lovie said. "If my mom had to go through that situation, it would have been the same. It really made you feel like you were witnessing a horrible tragedy."

Numerous law enforcement and first responder agencies participated in this year's mock crash: Kootenai County Sheriff's Office, Spirit Lake Police, Idaho State Police, Life Flight, Spirit Lake Fire Department, Timberlake Fire Department and Bell Tower Funeral Home.

    EMS personnel support Actress Amarijana Olivieril, while firefighters remove the car door during a mock crash at Timberlake High School on Wednesday.

   Actor Sean Peterson was "arrested with DUI charges" on Wednesday during a mock DUI crash at Timberlake High School in Spirit Lake. The annual mock crash serves as a warning to graduating seniors not to drink and drive.  

Timberlake High School sophomores Addison Karoblis and Delainey Wenstrom, media journalists for Timberlake's Tiger TV, an award-winning broadcast show responsible for daily news announcements, submitted this piece.