Officials say explanation of long-term effects added reality
By Heather Ruenz
Editor
“The purpose of our mock crash was to bring real world reality to each student’s attention so they put their focus back on safe driving choices,” Whitewater High School administrative assistant De Anda Levine said.
The crash, held April 27 on the grounds of the school, was a combined effort of local and county police, fire and rescue personnel, school officials and staff, and several WHS students who played roles in the event.
“Distracted driving has become a growing and serious safety issue among not only teens, but all, drivers. Just as in the case of our mock crash, on a daily basis, the lives of individuals change in the blink of an eye due to distracted driving,” Levine, who is also the Operation Click advisor for WHS, said.
“Unfortunately, for those behind the wheel, driving has become secondary. We, as drivers, need to reprogram ourselves to not answer phones calls, text messages, or Snapchats while driving. Passengers need to demand drivers to put down their phones, or at least, offer to answer messages for the driver,” she added.
Levine said the mock crash was spearheaded by WHS students Madalee Gregoire and Keely Fiedler, who, along with school resource officer Jacob Hintz had attended a mock crash in East Troy last year.
“I took over as the Operation Click Advisor at the beginning of this school year, and we have been working on it since. Our Operation Click Plan of Action for the 2015-16 school year focuses on passenger safety/distraction to drivers; use of technology while driving, and; speeding,” Levine said.
The mock crash scenario addressed all of those areas, as a driver distracted by texting, passenger Snapchats and loud music sped though the high school parking lot.
“Natalia Cuevas, whom coincidently was voted as the sweetest senior by the senior class, caused the accident as a result of distracted driving,” Levine said.
Hundreds of students and staff stood on the hill overlooking the two-vehicle crash site while fire and rescue personnel attended to victims and used the equipment needed to remove parts of the vehicle to free some of the injured.
Once the injured had been removed from the scene and placed in ambulances on scene, Gregoire and Fiedler – the two “fatalities” as a result of the crash, were carried to a hearse in body bags while fire and rescue personnel began cleanup duties of the crash scene.
Final consequences
Then, the group moved inside to the auditorium for what Levine said provided a realistic account of what happened to all of the kids involved.
“Having Natalia in a an orange jumpsuit with handcuffs and ankle cuffs while Zeke Wiedenfeld (former Walworth County Assistant District Attorney and Circuit Court Commissioner) spoke added to the reality of the charges. To see the seven individuals whose lives changed in a variety of negative ways because of a split second choice, I believe, spoke volume,” Levine said.
A message that Levine said Gregoire and Fiedler “felt needed to be heard” by way of a goodbye letter from them, was then read aloud.
The letter read:
“Do you think they can hear us? Do you think they will miss us? I know I’ll miss them. Mom and Dad, I’m sorry this happened. I’m sorry you had to go through this. You always taught me to wear my seatbelt but I did listen.
“Tell Courtney I’m sorry we won’t be able to finish the senior countdown together. Tell Carlie I’m sorry I can’t walk with her at graduation. I’m sorry for all the grief I’m bringing you guys. I’m sorry for all the grief I’m bringing you guys.
“I’m sorry you’re having to do all my goodbyes for me and I’m sorry you’ll never get to walk your little girl down the aisle or meet your grandchildren.
“Say goodbye to all my classmates for me and tell all my friends I will miss all the good times we had. Say goodbye to my teammates and tell my teachers that even though I complained about their classes I would give anything to be there again. Say goodbye to WHS for me.
“Dear Mom and Dad. I’m sorry… I would take it all back in a heartbeat. I just never thought it would happen to me. It was just supposed to be a fun afternoon but I’ve learned that memories don’t compare to the real thing.
“What I wouldn’t give to have one more hug, one more kiss goodbye, or just to hear your voice. Mom and Dad, I’m sorry but tell my classmates to learn from my mistake.
Behind-the-scenes
Levine said a great deal of time was put into preparing for the mock crash event, including taping of the pre-mock crash video and WHS students Elizabeth Hall and Alyx Kiernan taping the 911 call at the Whitewater Police Department with a real 911 emergency operator.
“The mock crash participants spent many hours redoing pre-mock crash video, gathering pictures and writing scripts. Keely spent numerous hours editing the video and post-mock crash presentation, as well as putting the videos to music with Madalee and Elizabeth.
In the very early stages of planning the event, Levine said an Operation Click Mock Crash Committee held an organizational meeting with Whitewater Police Chief Lisa Otterbacher and Officer Jacob Hintz, Whitewater Fire Department Chief Don Gregoire, Walworth County Deputy Dan Nelson, Zeke Wiedenfeld, Deputy Medical Examiner Dawn Kiernan, Whitewater High School Principal Doug Parker and Whitewater Unified School District Custodial Supervisor Cindy Wiedenhoeft to review the video, planning of, and logistics of the mock crash.
The students involved in the accident were: Natalia Cuevas, arrested; Madalee Gregoire, fatality; Keely Fiedler, fatality; Mireyda Palomec, Connor Steinke, Andrea Markham and Sally Kate Hixson, all who were injured; and Elizabeth Hall Alyx Kiernan, witnesses.
Additional participants included: Jeremy Hoesly, make-up; Kim Hixson – portrayed funeral home driver; Joe Lynch, past Operation Click advisor who summarized the injuries in the auditorium following the crash; and personnel from the Whitewater Fire & Rescue and Police departments and the Walworth County Sheriff’s Department.
“It was quite a group effort that I hope has made the students, staff and community members present rethink their driving habits,” Levine said.
