By Sam Parsons

Oskaloosa High School hosted a mock car wreck this morning. The event simulated a car accident involving a drunk driver and a distracted driver, with the intent to raise awareness about the real-life consequences of impaired and distracted driving. Emergency personnel from around the county were on hand to help emulate a real-life scenario in which high school-aged kids were killed or seriously injured in a crash caused by such behavior.

Carrie Bihn, who teaches Family Consumer Science and Osky Peer Helpers at OHS, said that the efforts to coordinate the event were divided among the students who participate in Osky Peer Helpers.

The high school has hosted a mock car wreck in some form each year dating back to 1995, but this year was the first time a helicopter was arranged to land on-site to simulate a person being airlifted, which Bihn said made the experience much more visceral.

The mock car wreck involved participation from Oskaloosa High School Peer Helpers, the Oskaloosa Police Department, the Oskaloosa Fire Department, the Mahaska County Sheriff’s Department, Mahaska Health, Mahaska EMS, Bates Funeral Home, and a medical helicopter from UnityPoint Health.

Our full interview with Carrie Bihn can be found below.