Shattered Dreams: Schulenburg High Students Witness the Tragedy of Drunk Driving

First Responders staged an accident scene Monday, Feb. 12, to show Schulenburg High School students the consequences of distracted driving.

The “Shattered Dreams” program, spearheaded by the Schulenburg Volunteer Fire Department, involved a mock crash scene in which two local teens lost their lives and three others were taken by EMS to the hospital.

The mock scene was at the intersection of College Street and Lyons Avenue. The scenario, with high school students serving as actors, placed Blake Helms as an intoxicated driver who ran through a stop sign and was broad-sided by another car. He was arrested at the scene. His front seat passenger, Zane Brenek, had to be transported to the hospital by Fayette County EMS while the back seat passenger, Jamison Bennet, was ejected, suffered fatal injuries and was taken by Schwenke Baumgarten Funeral Home.

The driver of the second vehicle, Claire Oeding, was ejected through the windshield and died at the scene. Her two passengers, Larissa Bohlman and Presley Sommer, were both injured and transported by EMS.

After the scene was cleared, parents of the victims, first responders and law enforcement spoke to the students body about the dangers of distracted driving, not only alcohol impairment, but also cell phone use.

“We wanted to show the kids the harsh reality of what could happen if they don’t make good choices,” said SVFD First Assistant Chief Drew Brossmann, one of the organizers of the program. “It was great to have the entire community work together for a positive change for our youth. Chief Darren Guentert and I will continue to do this program every two years so every high school student will see it twice. If we are able to save one life it was all worth it.”

Brosmann thanked all the agencies and businesses that participated, which included Schulenburg Volunteer Fire Department, Fayette County EMS, Fayette County Sheriff’s Offie, Schulenburg Police Department, Department of Public Safety, Schwenke Baumgarten Funeral Home, City of Schulenburg, and Geissen’s Paint and Body.