Dangers of Distracted Driving Take Center Stage

A fake car crash provoked real tears Tuesday at East Haven High School.

With prom season in full bloom, the high school is celebrating “Healthy Youth Week” and on Tuesday students from SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) put on a demonstration to show not only the dangers of drunk driving, but those of distracted driving -- texting and talking on a cell phone while behind the wheel.

“Death is permanent. Unlike the video games that the kids play, this is real,” said Jane Winters, a nurse and paramedic who helped with the makeup for the fake crash. “It’s so important to make them aware of the dangers involved in bad choices.”

Mayor April Capone shared her story of grief with the hundreds of students gathered on the slope of a hill.

“Seventeen years ago I lost my cousin to a car accident, he was only 18 years old - my only cousin, the only son to his parents, and the only grandson to my grandparents,” said Capone. “He was not doing drugs or drinking alcohol but he was driving a little too fast, which was not a wise choice. Not a day goes by that I don’t think about him.”

“You are important, you are loved and you are our future,” high school principal Steven Anderson told his students. “On this second day of 'Healthy Youth Week,' I want you to know that we care about you, and want you to be safe and live long healthy lives and make wise choices.” 

The demonstration started with simulated accident sounds played over a PA system. The SADD actors also had microphones attached to them, so one could hear the chaos of the cabin after the crash. Those who would die voiced their final thoughts. One voice broadcasted a cry out for her mother. The dead were loaded into hearses and left school grounds as the Grim Reaper and the surviving SADD students trailed behind. 

Diana Kownacki portrayed the driver of one of the cars and was arrested post-crash by real East Haven police officers Joe Murgo and Nick Palladino Jr. Kownacki wanted to let people know the dangers of drunk driving and show awareness of what can happen. 

Alyssa Anastasio was a driver and a fatality.

“You can really lose your friends doing this, it’s not smart or safe,” said the junior. “Kids think it’s fun to drink and drive, and that in realty this could never happen to them.”

After the crash, passenger Tyler Piche had to pull his prom date, Kaleigh Ciscone, out of the backseat of the vehicle. Piche, a senior now, remembers how the demonstration hit him three years ago.

“Watching it my freshman year was very emotional,” said Piche. “I wanted it to have the same effect on upcoming students to help make them aware.”

Sara Welch from News Channel 8 hosted the event. Before she wished East Haven students a happy and safe prom, she shared a personal story about losing a loved one.

“I lost my brother to a crash when he was just 16 years old,” she said. “It wasn’t a drunk driving accident, he was just in the wrong place at the wrong time, and it lives with my family forever. It is heart breaking and makes you realize that the decisions you make in an instant could have an impact on your life.”