Thursday morning students at Plymouth High School were reminded of the dangers of drinking and driving.
A mock disaster scenario was set up in the front yard of PHS. L.E.A.D., Leaders Eliminating Alcohol and Drugs club members hosted the event to illustrate the dangers of drinking and driving for the students. L.E.A.D. is the school’s local version of SADD, Students Against Drunk Driving. The kids in the club do activities to promote a drug and alcohol free lifestyle as well as provide a resource for like-minded students in this pursuit. The event was specifically done this week because Plymouth will hold their prom this Saturday at the Century Center in South Bend.
The event began with the entire student body watching a short video which was created by students at PHS for this mock scenario. Four students are in their prom clothes and Reese Yoder, the backseat passenger offers a bottle of alcohol to the others in the car. They are driving talking about senior year and having a good time and all of a sudden they scream and the video goes black. Students were then sent out front of the school for the rest of the staged event.
Once settled School Resource Officer Ted Brown was heard calling for emergency responders to assist with a two vehicle crash involving six young people.
Plymouth Police and Marshall County Police responded with lights and sirens going along with Plymouth Fire and EMS. These emergency responders immediately went to work assessing the injuries of those involved.
Reese Yoder the backseat passenger and was killed in the crash. Marshall County Coroner Bill Cleavenger arrived on the scene to take care of his remains. After photographing the body he was placed in a body bag for transport. Cleavenger also spoke to students asking them to consider the pain his parents would feel when they are notified of his death.
Yoder’s prom date, Kizzy Schuler was critically injured and had to be airlifted by MedFlight from the scene of the crash.
Jacob Hildebrand was driving the vehicle that caused the crash. He was only slightly injured in the accident and was given a sobriety field test by Plymouth Officer Derek Workman. After administering a portable breathalyzer Hildebrand was placed in handcuffs and seated in a patrol car awaiting transport to the jail.
Hildebrand’s prom date, Libbie Portteus sustained facial injuries and was transported to the local hospital for treatment of her injuries.
The two girls in the other vehicle, Victoria Leazenby and Hunter Stevens sustained minor injuries and were only treated at the scene.
L.E.A.D. sponsor, Gene Skirvin said, “We do a mock crash every three years fearing the impact might be lost if it were an annual event.” He also expressed his appreciation for the community support for the event, noting Plymouth Police and County Police, the Plymouth Fire Department and MedFlight.
County Coroner Bill Cleavenger urged students to enjoy their prom and graduation and celebrate the right way, making better decisions. He also noted that a scenario very similar to this one happened here during the prom in Plymouth in 1975.
