Agencies from Calhoun and Gordon County emergency services banded together recently to send an important message to area high school seniors.

With the help of six Gordon Central High School seniors acting as “victims,” the agencies demonstrated their skills during a Prom Crash Reenactment held at GCHS. The student actors were Heaven Lingle, Brittany Winston, Kayleigh Umbarger, Kaleb Harris, Brandon Scoggins and Lakai Whatley

“Our objective is overall safe teen driving and awareness for not only the prom season, but a lifetime of good decisions behind the wheel,” explained Lt./EMT Doug Hite, coordinator of the Prom Crash Reenactment. “Seniors from Calhoun High School and Sonoraville High School were also bussed to the crash scene so that they could witness what could happen as a result of drunk driving.”

The scenario involved a two-car crash involving teenagers, alcohol and texting while driving. One vehicle was driven by a drunk-driver, who was arrested at the scene. The crash also included two critically-injured teens, who were airlifted from the scene, and a teen fatality.

“This is not something that we like to think about, but every year we hear of teens injured or killed in America because of drinking and driving or poor driving decisions,” said Courtney Taylor, director of Gordon EMS. “Anything we can do as emergency response agencies to keep kids safe is certainly worth the effort.”

Agencies involved in the reenactment included Gordon EMS, Gordon County Fire Department, Calhoun Fire Department, Gordon County Sheriff’s Office, Calhoun Police Department, Gordon County EMA, Gordon County 911, Georgia State Patrol, LifeForce, AirLife Georgia and Gordon County Deputy Coroner Bo Nicholson.

In addition to the many agencies and volunteers behind the scenes, organizers also expressed their appreciation to Jon Gaines of Hi-Gain Audio for supplying the sound system and to James Lanier and Carroll Towing and Recovery for supplying the vehicles and towing service.

“We cannot thank everyone enough for the many hours of work and planning that goes into this event every year,” Taylor added. “Our prayer now is that this effort will prevent our teenagers from making wrong choices.”