On May 3rd, 2024, Newport hosted a mock crash by the Varsity club with the help of the fire company, the Newport staff, and junior Dakota Clouser. The idea of the mock crash was to display the harmful effects and consequences of driving under the influence. The high school students gathered at the Newport Fairgrounds to watch the mock crash of a drunk driving accident.
The two junior actors, Delaney Greene and Evan Rice, arrived at the scene and checked on their friends. Rice placed the 911 call to receive help. Barry Stone responded to the scene, then EMS 109 arrived as the first responders. EMS 109 declared four severely injured and one deceased. Shortly after EMS 109 arrived, Engine 10 showed up with their utility personnel to help retrieve the wounded in the two vehicles. As Engine 10 volunteers assessed the scene, Ambulances 59 and 57 arrived as well, followed shortly by Medic 1 and the Pennsylvania Police Department. As the firefighters and the medics worked extraction, the PSP did a field sobriety test on the drunk driver, Adison Geer. She was very much under the influence, which got her arrested and taken to the police station. As the firefighters and medics were finishing up, they were able to extricate and transport the injured.
Clouser stated, “It was a great job by the people who participated in the mock crash to teach young drivers to be careful when driving.”
The planning committee consisted of the following students; juniors Geer, Makenna Buffington, Payce Smith-Robbins, Lexie Zaring, and sophomore Jordin Briggs. The additional actors consisted of the junior Zaring and seniors Makayla Caldwell and Nick Stuck.
