Mock Crash Gives Great Valley Seniors Dose of Reality

Great Valley High School partnered with Paoli Hospital, State Farm Insurance and several local rescue squads to present a mock crash simulation to the senior class at Great Valley High School Thursday morning.

The purpose of the event was to prevent distracted and drunk driving by raising awareness among the senior class by using a simulation staged outside the high school.

Pre-selected student and community volunteers helped illustrate what happens at the scene of an accident, as well as what happens after an accident.

Following the demonstration, Christie Reinhardt, an actual crash victim from West Chester, spoke to the students about her own experiences. One week after Reinhardt graduated from high school she was involved in a major accident that was drinking-related. She did extensive damage to her body and face and required multiple surgeries to repair her facial features. Reinhardt continued drinking and eventually served jail time after another drunk driving accident.

She described to the students how alcohol controlled her actions and many of the mistakes she made on the road to recovery. Today, Reinhardt works as a nurse in an emergency room and focuses on helping others.