As part of Wylie ISD’s ongoing commitment to the safety and education of students, the district reintroduced the program “Shattered Dreams.”
“Shattered Dreams” is a program for senior students who are heading into their next stages of life. It educates students on the dangers of driving while impaired and gives students a real-life look into the impact that can be caused by drinking and driving or distracted driving.
Wylie ISD partnered with the Wylie Police Department, Wylie Fire Rescue, and other agencies to produce exaggerated videos depicting the events that led up to the accident and the aftermath.
Wylie PD Corporal Jacob Perry organized this program to show that the decisions students make now have a lasting impact.
“I want them to understand that the first party they go to as a college student can affect everything,” Cpl. Perry said.
Seniors Tori Thedford from Wylie East and Justin Nguyen from Wylie High acted as drivers who were under the influence and experienced what it was like going through an arraignment.
“I like that I was able to be part of a video that can leave an impact on others about DUI,” Nguyen said.
Students were shown a staged mock car crash in between videos. The crashes were displayed in the school parking lots. To go along with that, the program included patient extrication and an intoxication investigation.
“I feel like my participation in the program set an example for my fellow students,” Thedford said.
Seniors also heard a victim impact statement from the non-profit organization Mothers Against Drunk Driving, also known as MADD. Prisca Patrick’s son and his girlfriend were killed by a drunk driver who was three times the legal limit. Law enforcement showed up at her doorstep with her son’s license in their hands.
Jessica Martin is a WHS senior. She has had conversations with her mom about the risks of drinking while driving.
“She said teens think they're invincible,” Martin said. “They want nothing more than to push the limits right before they get in trouble.”
Allison Irby is attending the University of Oklahoma in the fall. As she watched the video, she says she became more aware of the real-life situations drunk driving causes.
“I feel so much more impacted and ready to go into college,” Irby said.
Cpl. Perry shared that in Wylie’s jurisdiction, they pull over at least one drunk driver a night. On average, every day, 37 people die in drunk driving crashes nationwide.
“There is an important statistic we don't know,” Cpl. Perry said. “We don't know how many crashes have not happened because someone made the right decision not to drive while under the influence.”
Due to this being an emotional education experience, crisis counselors were available to students during and after the program. Law enforcement and fire safety professionals were also on standby for students' questions or concerns.
“We don't do this to try to traumatize you,” Cpl. Perry said. “We do this to make an impact.”
