By Debbie Adams
William Byrd High School hosted a Mock Car Crash on April 28 to raise awareness of the dangers of driving
while distracted or impaired. The poignant simulation was designed to save lives and “witness
how one choice, one moment, in one life, can change everything.”
The presentation encouraged students, and adults, to make safe decisions behind the wheel. A
somber and thoughtful crowd watched the demonstration.
The production was “student created and driven,” involving a partnership between the school,
the Vinton First Aid Crew, Roanoke County Police, the Roanoke County Sheriff’s Office, and
Roanoke County Fire & Rescue.
The program was developed and facilitated by student Meera Raichura, with assistance from
RCPS Director of Community Relations Chuck Lionberger, instructor Ryan Adams, Principal
Travis Anderson, RCPS Social Studies Supervisor Philip Martin, the Vinton First Aid Crew
(VFAC) (including Chief Chris Sayre, Asst. Chief Brandan Arthur, Megan Sayre, Taylor Ralph,
Sam Smith, Trace Poindexter, Megan Pierce, and others), members of emergency response teams
in Roanoke County, School Resource Officers Johnny Runyon and Joseph Mullins, and students
Nathan Rogers, Lillian Johnson, Raelyn Lancaster, and Aidan Lucas—portraying the victims in
the crash.
The students and adults created the scenario beginning with a pre-recorded message complete
with a simulated emergency call from a passenger in the car crash and a response from dispatch.
They arranged for real-life emergency vehicles to actually respond to the “accident” with blaring
sirens and flashing lights along Route 24 from where they were staged at Food Lion.
Byrd on April 28. (photos by Debbie Adams)
A crashed car, donated by Wood’s Service Center Towing & Transportation, was placed in the
front entrance loop of the high school.
April 28 was chosen because this is Prom Week at WBHS; it is the time of year when many
students are getting their driver’s licenses; and graduation comes in less than a month.
“Let’s pledge with our friends to promise to celebrate alcohol and drug-free! Our goal is zero
crashes, zero fatalities, and all our classmates safely back to school on Monday! Buckle up, slow
down, and no distractions. Arrive alive, it’s a whole vibe,” is the message from the mock crash
event organizers.
Meera Raichura is a student at both WBHS and the Roanoke Valley Governor’s School for
Science and Technology, a member of the Leo service club at the high school, and a volunteer
for the Vinton First Aid Crew. (She will be attending UVA in the fall on the pre-med track.)
She explained that the idea for the mock crash formed when her third call as a member of the
VFAC involved a DUI car crash. She recognized the victim as a former WBHS student. She has
taken on the task of convincing students that the perfect prom night could be “even more perfect”
without alcohol or drugs.
Raichura said the causes of vehicular accidents are not just alcohol and/or drugs. Other factors
can include texting, distractions, too many passengers in the car, speeding, or seatbelts not
fastened. Any of these missteps can result in lives lost or changed forever, affecting not only the
victim, but family, friends, and community.
The program concluded with the video “Briana’s Story” and guest speaker Robert Monk, retired
Bedford Police officer, whose daughter, Briana, was severely injured in a crash in 2014 and
fortunately survived—now a nurse and soon to be married. The video tells the story of her
accident and recovery.
