On the morning of their Prom, Hawthorne High School Seniors witnessed a DUI incident staged by the Hawthorne Police, Fire and Ambulance. Each year the Hawthorne Police Department offers a program to high school seniors that emphasize the dangers of driving after drinking, using controlled substances and prescription drugs. The program is designed to educate the students in making good choices for themselves. Another issue for everyone to consider is the use of cell phones - especially texting while driving. These actions can yield the same tragic results.

The high school seniors gathered in the front of the school near the roadway and watched the scene play out. Two vehicles, with one occupant in one and three in another were involved in a serious accident. The lone occupant of the one vehicle staggered out and was arrested by police after failing a sobriety test. One occupant of the other vehicle was determined to be DOA by arriving EMS personnel. Fire Department units had to secure the vehicles, cut the roof off to remove the injured victims, and deal with a fluid spill on the roadway. Students watched as firefighters explained the complexity of the incident as well as the costs and long term effects imposed on everyone involved in the incident. We thank the seniors for their attentiveness and their questions.

Thank you to all members who came out to support the incident, and a special thanks to City Wide Towing for providing and removing one vehicle, and to Hawthorne Auto Body for also transporting vehicles to and from the scene.

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