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Students learn firsthand: Don t drink and drive, wear seatbelts

A mock disaster drill was conducted April 18 by Marion County emergency personnel for the benefit of students at Centre High School.

The scene was a two-car crash in which the driver of one of the vehicles had been drinking.

One passenger was killed, one severely injured and Lifewatched to a city hospital, and three transported to local hospitals for treatment.

The mock drill included Tampa and Marion ambulances, Lincolnville Fire Department and first responders, Lost Springs Fire Department, Penwell-Gable Funeral Home in Herington, and a LifeTeam helicopter. Two sheriff's deputies also were on hand.

It was coordinated by Jesse Brunner, EMT and school board member.

Students involved were seniors Jackie Klenda, Brandy Kaiser, Kevin Mueller, Tad Remy, and Bryant Brunner.

After the drill, students sat in rapt attention as Mary Beth Bowers talked to them about her 20-year-old son, Stephen, who was killed in January in a late-night one-car accident involving a drunk driver. He was not wearing a seatbelt.

She said Stephen was just like them, but he made a bad decision.

Several videos were shown.

The event was staged to impress students with the dangers involved in drinking and driving and not wearing seatbelts.

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