Sean C. Morgan
A horror story involving a drunk driver and a family of victims unfolded last week on Husky Field in an effort to curb dangerous driving behavior among teens.
Sweet Home firefighters, medics and police officers staged a mock wreck on the field.
The idea was “to educate the high schoolers of the dangers of drinking and driving, as well as
texting and driving and the associated hazards,” said Zach Lincoln, a paramedic with the Sweet Home Fire and Ambulance District.
“I thought it went extremely well,” Lincoln said. “We actually had students come up afterward who said it exceeded their expectations and really hit home.”
PARAMEDICS and rescue workers prepare victims of the mock wreck for transport aboard a Life Flight helicopter.
The district paid the costs and volunteer personnel created the tableau, using two vehicles donated by Lloyd Rice Towing.
The scene opened with a vehicle, driven by Coach Steve Thorpe, on its side. Inside the vehicle were his wife, Heather Thorpe, senior Taylor Thorpe, fifth-grader Travis Thorpe and sixth-grader Nate Virtue. Travis Thorpe portrayed the only fatality in the mock wreck.
Ty Schilling was collapsed on the ground near his vehicle. He portrayed the drunk driver. His passengers included senior Colton Schilling and freshman Tyler Rebuch.
Police arrived on the scene first, followed quickly by medics and rescue workers.
“We did all the things we usually do,” Lincoln said. Personnel peeled back the tops of both vehicles to get inside and treat the patients.
After extrication, Taylor Thorpe took a short helicopter ride after rescue workers loaded her onto a Life Flight chopper.
Thanks go out to Life Flight for agreeing to help at the last minute, Lincoln said. He also expressed appreciation to Lloyd Rice Towing, Sweet Home High School and Sweet Home Police Department.
The Fire District runs the mock wreck every four years to ensure that most students have an opportunity to see the devastation of a crash.
“Doug (Emmert, retired battalion chief) had done it the last three years,” Lincoln said. Serving as a volunteer now, “he was gracious enough to help us out.”