North Allegheny mock crash demonstrates dangers of impaired driving

At least one person died and several others had major injuries as a result of an accident involving impaired driving on May 9 at North Allegheny Senior High School.

Actually, that was the scenario portrayed by student actors in a mock crash aimed at the 2024 graduating, in the hopes of deterring students from driving impaired as they prepared for the prom on May 11 and graduation on May 31.

Prior to the staging of a crash scene outside the school, students gathered in the auditorium to hear the story of James Pasqualini of Slippery Rock, whose son Joe became a quadriplegic after being hit by a vehicle driven by a drunken motorist in 2009. He died eight years later from the injuries.

“No one’s telling you not to have fun. Be mature. Be responsible. Don’t make bad decisions,” said James Pasqualini.

North Allegheny’s graduating class of about 660 students then went to the parking lot, where two vehicles appeared to have been involved in a major accident. Several classmates acted out a scene of the accident, wearing prom clothes and makeup to look like they were injured, or even deceased.

Local emergency responders portrayed what could possibly happen at a real crash scene, even using special equipment to pry open vehicle doors. Those assisting at the event included Peebles, Ingomar and McCandless volunteer fire departments; the McCandless Franklin Park Ambulance Authority; and local law enforcement, including McCandless police.

The Allegheny Health Network LifeFlight also flew an emergency response helicopter to the scene.

Some of the actors were removed from the vehicles and put on stretchers. Teacher Amy Baschnagel played the role of the deceased victim’s mother who came screaming for her daughter onto the scene.

Despite knowing it was an act, the actors all said their hearts were racing.

Greta Mott, who played a deceased victim, and Elizabeth Vales, a passenger, said they were so emotional it made them tear up.

“Even though I knew it was fake, I literally started crying,” Vales said.

“It was surreal, a real scenario that can happen, unfortunately,” said senior Preston Vissotski, who was one of the injured actors.

Seniors Sydney Bartos and Simon Rosella played parts of being injured, and senior Tyler Eyerman portrayed an impaired driver.

The mock crash was the first at North Allegheny since 2019, and it was important to bring it back, especially at this time of year, said Jeff Longo, student assistance program coordinator.

“Approximately every 40 minutes, someone in the United States dies by impaired driving. The message is that driving under the influence of alcohol, marijuana and other substances kills and it is 100% preventable. We want this message to be fresh on the minds of the students as they head into prom and graduation season,” Longo said.

Megan Manesiotis, a senior from Franklin Park who helped organize the event, said so many others were instrumental in the event, including junior Carson Carona, along with the entire high school student council and staff.

She said it was important to her to raise awareness about driving while impaired.

“If I could impact one life today, I feel like I did my job at North Allegheny,” said Manesiotis.

Carona, who lives in McCandless, said he hopes the school holds a mock crash next year and that learning about Pasqualini’s son was particularly impactful.

“People took it seriously. Really hearing that story puts it into perspective,” he said. “I think it’s absolutely impactful.”

Eyerman, who played the driver who was arrested, said his role had an impact on him and what it would feel like to be responsible in that situation.

“Don’t drink and drive. Now I know what it feels like, how bad it makes you feel,” he said.

Students in the crowd said the whole scenario was meaningful.

“It felt really real,” said Aneri Shethji, a senior from Franklin Park.

Ananyaa Rajulu, a senior from McCandless, agreed.

“Putting it two days before prom, you see what could happen two days from now,” she said.

Bianca Lohan of Marshall said it was impactful to see what a real crash scene would like and the aftermath: “It was very eye-opening, very engaging.”

Principal Matthew Buchak told his students that those type of situations can be avoided.

“One bad decision could lead to so much tragedy,” he said. “Please make the right decision.”