A Sobering Simulation: Fake car crash staged by Carey Hall to show students dangers of drunk driving

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All Mary Fisher could see was the black sky and flashing red and blue lights swirl around her when she was placed on to a stretcher Tuesday evening.

“I was scared and terrified,” the Clinton Township junior said.

Though the drunk driving car accident between Central Michigan University’s Carey Hall and 7-Eleven, 302 W. Broomfield St. was only a simulation for Sober in October, it didn’t stop Fisher from seeing her life flash before her eyes.

A crowd of about 50 students looked on as police and fire fighters assisted with the demonstration.

Fisher said everything was an eye-opening experience.

“The whole entire time I was uncomfortable,” she said.

Resident assistants gather around a car during a drunk driving crash simulation Tuesday night outside of Carey Hall. "It just raises awareness about drinking," said Stephensville junior Jennifer Belt, a resident assistant in Carey Hall who helped organize the event. (Sara Winkler/Staff Photographer)

Mount Pleasant Fire Sgt. Richard Clark showed the crowd how the fire department really responds to emergency situations.

He used the Jaws of Life to pry open jammed parts of the damaged tan Toyota Corolla, which had been impacted by a banged up black Dodge Stratus. Shards of glass were scattered in between the cars.

Green’s 24-Hr Towing, 1504 N. Fancher Ave., donated the vehicles for the simulation.

Constantine freshman Brittany Beebe has already experienced the simulation in real life. As one of the observers of the crowd, Beebe recalled memories of driving down US-131 by Three Rivers in 2006, when a drunk and high driver ran through a stop sign and smashed into her car.

“They had to use the Jaws of Life to get me out,” Beebe said.

Tuesday night’s event reminded her of how scared she was back then.

“I didn’t know what to think, my hand was gushing blood, my mom was bruised,” she said. “It makes me glad I am still alive.”

CMU Police Officer Jeff Ballard said the event is a great awareness tool.

“A lot of people think (this) is real,” Ballard said. “Alcohol isn’t a factor (in this), but this is is really how we’re going to respond to this.”

Beebe said the event is one that may help people think before driving drunk.

“It is not just your life you are putting in danger,” she said.