Local Radar

Paid for by the Joan Herlong for Probate Judge Committee

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Paid for by the Candidate

Strom Thurmond students witness mock crash, take Prom Promise

web posted Apri 19, 2006

JOHNSTON – A Prom Promise crash demonstration and program was held at Strom Thurmond High School Tuesday morning. With the help of the Edgefield County EMS, Northside, Edgefield, and Merriwether Fire Departments and others the students were told about a crash that happened when several students went to the prom, got intoxicated, and tried to drive. In the end, two of the passengers were dead.

As the tarps were removed from the crash, students saw the grizzly scene. EMA Director Mike Casey explained each step of the process of the rescue workers, students could here the radios as EMS workers radioed for additional help and called for the helicopter. One by one the bodies were removed from the wreckage after the injured were treated. “If you think we are trying to scare you,” Mr. Casey told the students, “you’re right,” as he informed them how such a situation could land them in jail “for the rest of your life.”

The AirMed helicopter was unable to participate due to being called to a real emergency.

After the wreck scene, the students went into the gymnasium for the rest of the program. Miss Aiken County Lyvia Hughs told students of a girl that got arrested after driving drunk at 2:00 am and spent 16 hours in jail, had to pay fines, carry SR-22 insurance at a cost of $5,000 a year, and had to delay going to college. “That girl is me,” Ms. Hughes said, as she gave a touching, and sometimes tearful, speech.

Belinda Cooper spoke next and explained how her daughter, Ciera Rose Cooper, 18, died in a crash after drinking with friends. “She never made it home,” Ms. Cooper said explaining her daughter died from injuries she suffered in an October 29, 2000 crash. “It only takes a split second to change a life,” Ms. Cooper told EdgefieldDaily.com.

The students also watched a film presentation of other parents who lost their children. At the end of the program students were given cards promising they would not drink and drive.

Even closer to home is the deaths of two area teens killed in a crash on January 15, 2006 when Robert Edward Kasten, 15, of Five Notch Road and 18 year old Robert James Kotz, of the 900 block of Campbelton Drive, North Augusta smashed into a tree one Sunday night. That crash did not involve alcohol but showed even with no alcohol how quick things can change.

Pictured Below:
Miss Aiken County Lyvia Hughes
Participating or sponsoring the program were Miss Aiken County Lyvia Hughes, Lance Corporal Scott Edgeworth of the South Carolina Highway Patrol, Belinda Cooper, Jones Bowen of the Tri-Development Center, Denise Brown of Matt Nieman Insurance Company, Edgefield County EMA Director Mike Casey, Susie Rushton of Rushton's Wrecker Service, Edgefield County EMS, Northside, Edgefield, and Merriwether Fire Departments, Mercantile Funeral Home, Amos Funeral Home, and Strom Thurmond High School.

 

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