Warrenton High School upperclassmen Monday were given a hard-hitting lesson on the consequences of their decisions ahead of prom celebrations. A group of community members including first responders, …
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Prom night warning: Don’t drink and drive
Posted
By Adam Rollins, Record Staff Writer
Warrenton High School upperclassmen Monday were given a hard-hitting lesson on the consequences of their decisions ahead of prom celebrations.A group of community members including first responders, the Warren County coroner and a funeral director spoke to students about the dangers of drinking and driving, and the importance of using a seat belt.The warnings might seem cliche to many, but several speakers struggled at times to describe the deaths they have seen as a result of such bad decisions.Among those speakers was John Allen, who told the story of how his adult son died trying to drive home from a bar. The crash happened less than a mile from his home. He left behind a fiancee and a young child.“My son made a choice. He made a decision to get in the car, to drive drunk,” Allen said. “Thank God it was a single-car accident, and that he didn’t kill anybody else.”Allen said his son wasn’t wearing a seat belt during the crash and was thrown through the windshield of the car. He said he saved the vehicle his son had been in, so that he could show others the cause and effect of that fatal decision.Funeral Director Corey Tobias, County Coroner Glenn Craig and Bill Abel of the Missouri Highway Patrol all described other fatal accidents they had been called to. Their message to students was that any trouble they get in from their parents is better than getting hurt or killed in a car crash.They advised having a designated driver among a group of friends, or for students to make a deal with their parents to get a ride without a scolding. Anything to avoid getting behind the wheel impaired.The group WARS Coalition (Warren County Alcohol/Drug Reduction Support) helped organize the event, said member Denise Richards, who is a Black Hawk Middle School guidance counselor.WARS’ mission is to increase awareness, change beliefs and reduce substance abuse among young people and other members of the community.The Warrenton High School prom is this Saturday, April 15.
Warren County Coroner Glenn Craig (center) speaks to assembled Warrenton High School students about fatal car crashes caused by drunk driving. Behind him is a vehicle that was involved in a fatal crash. Record photo/Adam Rollins.
