MOCK WRECK STRESSES DWI DANGERS

Actions made an impression where words failed Wednesday at the Team Spirit Leadership Training Conference at Victorian Inn.

The four-day conference is to inform teams of regional high school students about the laws and realities of drunken driving. The teams will use the information and lessons on teamwork to develop a plan students will implement in their schools and communities to combat teen-age drinking and driving.

On the second day of the conference, the 111 teen-age participants in the conference witnessed a simulated automobile accident and emergency response by the Cape Girardeau fire and police departments.

The simulated single-car accident involved four teen-agers, including one who acted like she was thrown through the windshield and killed. Cape Girardeau Fire Station No. 4, the only station with extrication capabilities, used special equipment to pry back the doors and roof of the vehicle to free those inside.

Cape Girardeau police Sgt. J.R. Davis, who was first on the simulated scene, moved a hysterical bystander away from the accident, then put the driver of the vehicle through a field sobriety test. The make-believe driver, Heather Fehr, 18, of Scott City failed the mock test and was taken away by Davis.

The conference participants watched quietly while police, firefighters and emergency medical technicians performed their jobs. Afterward, students were impressed with the demonstration.

Darren McIntosh, 17, of the Chaffee High School team, said he would like to see a simulation performed at a Chaffee school. "That kind of catches your eye," McIntosh said.

The Chaffee team's plan will be to educate the community and begin a DWI-awareness program in the elementary and middle schools. Kate Nolen, 15, said the team would like to establish a student group at the high school that would coordinate and participate in the grade school DWI programs.

"If we can make it socially unacceptable to drink, that would be a large part," said Tonya Lynn, 17, a Chaffee team member.

Drunken driving in Chaffee was brought to the forefront in December when 16-year-old Joda Matthews Griggs was killed by a drunken driver. Most of the Chaffee team members knew Griggs and said his death sent a message to people in the community.

"It affected the wrong group, the group that already didn't drink," said Danielle Morgan, 17, another team member.

Stevie Burks, 16, said the message was also quickly forgotten. Burks and the other members of the team hope to establish a long-term solution, one that may also include non-alcohol-related activities for teen-agers.

"I think more than Chaffee needs to address this, even the surrounding towns," said Jennifer Finley, 16.

Following the accident simulation was a discussion panel by three legal representatives: Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle, Cape Girardeau lawyer Ken McManaman and Perry County Associate Circuit Judge Michael Bullerdieck.

Each panelist presented reasons that people should avoid drinking and driving, including prison terms, fines, legal fees, counseling fees and the loss of driving privileges.

Swingle, citing the example of a one-time candidate for sheriff in a Southeast Missouri county who said he would fire a deputy for making a DWI arrest, said persuading a jury to convict DWI offenders can be a challenge.

"It is a crime where the defendant could be anybody," Swingle said.

McManaman said it is not the defense attorney's job to "get people off" of a conviction. Defense attorneys ensure that the prosecution's case is sound and they try to get the best "deal, for lack of a better word" for their clients.

McManaman said it can cost between $3,000 to $30,000 for a DWI offense. He said there are times when a better, more expensive lawyer is necessary.

"And there are times when it doesn't make any difference," he said. That has to be decided between the client and attorney.

Bullerdieck said he brought a tougher stance on DWI to Perry County's judicial circuit when he took the bench. He said he does not tolerate violations of probation or repeat DWI offenders.

"What I try to do is avoid seeing anyone again for this offense," Bullerdieck said. He added that the worst repeat offenders are those who won't admit they have a problem.

Conference participants will be given a more in-depth exposure to the realities of drunken driving in workshops today. They will also speak to survivors of victims of drunken drivers. The conference ends Friday.