AKRON, IA -
It's every parent's worst nightmare: your child has been injured on the way home from prom.
Friday students in Akron, Iowa turned that nightmare situation into a learning experience.
Emergency crews set up a life-like crash at Akron-Westfield Friday morning, hoping that a good look at what can go wrong will help keep students safe before prom.
"I saw two cars that were just banged up pretty well, saw some of my classmates in the car," said Freshman Kali Kriener.
The accident was so bad that Mercy Air Care had to be called in.
"My boyfriend was in one of the cars," said Sophomore Bethany Eastman.
A drunk driver killed two people, but luckily this accident wasn't real.
It was a chance for students to see what could go wrong if they make bad decisions on prom night and hear what could go wrong even if they do everything right.
"I just dozed off and didn't quite make it home," said Travis Robinson.
Travis was in a wreck driving home from prom in Akron 18 years ago.
He wasn't drinking and driving, he was even wearing his seatbelt, he just fell asleep behind the wheel.
Friday he was hoping his story will help keep these kids safe.
"Life's going to throw you curve balls, you know, everyone's got a story," said Robinson. "It's how you overcome the story, you know, no matter what it is. I mean if it's a disability, a disease, I mean, how do you act after the story happens?"
It was a real-life story with real-life scenery, helping kids make the right decisions behind the wheel all year long.
"That really just opens your eyes to where you're like oh my gosh, that can really happen," said Eastman. "If that really would have happened it really sets in the reality."
"It could impact my life," said Kriener. "What if I was in a car accident, it's just pretty life changing."
Akron-Westfield's prom is Saturday night.
