First responders from around Acadia Parish work the scene of a simulated car accident for the second filming of the Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office production of “CHOICES,” a film meant to drive home the dangers of impaired and distracted driving to high school students. The reality of the filming was evident as many onlooking parents and student volunteers were overcome with emotion.
However, Tuesday’s sunny, warm weather was replaced with a chilly, driving rain Wednesday morning. But perhaps while making a film that depicts the harsh reality of a fatal car crash, the rain may have been just what was needed to relay to the public that tragic accidents aren’t don’t always take place in ideal environments.
Like last year, the emotionally charged film had tears flowing from the eyes of both the students who took part in making the video, as well as their parents who are on hand to see what role their children played in the video.
This year’s simulated accident, in which two died, two were injured seriously and another 14 receiving some medical attention, directed more attention towards the dangers of distracted driving (texting, cell phone usage, etc.) and the punishment of parents who serve alcohol to teens.
The parents of the teens that were killed or injured in the simulated wreck, were obviously affected the most.
“Even though I know it’s not real just watching them zip up that bag over your child’s face is heartbreaking to watch,” said one particularly upset parent as she witnessed the scene.
This year’s film is the second installment of the Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office project. This year, through donations, the film had a much bigger budget to work with and the organizational efforts of Trahan, Allen “Noochie” Credeur of the Rayne Police Department and Louis “Buddha” Romero of the Crowley Fire Department along with the many first responders, officials with the Acadia Parish Coroner’s Office, Crowey City Judge M’elise Trahan and several others made the process that follows the accident as realistic as the accident scene itself.
Following the accident, the film takes its viewers through the entire process which those involved in such a tragedy go through including the booking of the driver(s) at the Sheriff’s Department; a trip to the morgue; a stop at the cemetery and visit to the courtroom where the judge administers the proper punishment.
Judging by the response of the communities in Acadia Parish to this year’s project, it seems likely that the project will continue to grow in coming years.
“If these films can save the life of just one student I’ll consider them to be a success,” said Trahan.
“CHOICES” will be shown to high schools throughout Acadia Parish over the next two days.
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