ALAMOSA – Upperclassmen at Alamosa High School (AHS) received a visual reminder Thursday of what can happen if teens choose to drink and drive on prom night, or any other time.

Local emergency responders assisted sponsors to conduct a “mock DUI crash” near the AHS stadium that involved eight student “victims” and a “baby” that was a passenger in one of the vehicles. Two students and the baby did not “survive” because of the accident.

The event was sponsored by AHS After-Prom and SLV P.R.O.M. as a reality based, simulated vehicle crash.

“The ultimate goal of this is to be an eye opener to how many lives can be affected if you make the choice to drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol,” read an announcement of the event, with the goal of keeping children and the community safe.

Participating responders included the Alamosa Police Department, Colorado State Patrol, Alamosa Fire Department (AFD), Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control, Alamosa EMS and the county coroner’s office, and Eagle Air Medical helicopter that landed and took off from the location.

The audience got to witness simulated rescue and recovery efforts and the arrest of the purported “drunk driver” and the resulting sobriety tests. AFD personnel used extrication equipment to remove doors from the vehicles involved to reach victims.

For a video of the event, go to Alamosa Valley Courier on Facebook.