The University Police staged its third-annual mock DUI crash outside the Convocation Center Thursday night.

“This is a powerful real-life demonstration of what can happen when a little, seemingly innocent partying is mixed with something as serious as driving,” said University Police Sgt. Len Grzesiak.

The event started with two vehicles being positioned as if they had just collided. The drivers were walking around and talking on cell phones as the police arrived. The police then began to question the driver and could tell he was drunk. The officer checked the driver, who was not hurt in the accident and told him to follow his flashlight with his eyes and to walk in a straight line.

Phi Kappa Theta fraternity provided the role players to act the parts of the victims and the driver.

“Students that see the event are greatly impacted. It opens up eyes in a community where alcohol is readily available,” said junior applied technology major and Phi Kappa Theta member Brett Hartley.

After the questioning, the DeKalb Fire Department arrived at the scene with an ambulance and two fire trucks. A victim lying on the hood of one vehicle was pronounced dead on arrival. They then covered the victims inside the car so the fire department could smash the windows. They used the Jaws of Life to take off a couple of doors and the roof of the car to get the victims out.

OSF St. Anthony’s Hospital in Rockford then landed their LifeLine helicopter on the scene as if it were going to transport the critically injured.

“This event is more a worse-case scenario, but I could very well be the victim of a crash like it,” Hartley said.

Kishwaukee Community Hospital EMS Department personnel attended with many of their students. Mothers Against Drunk Driving also attended to provide literature describing the dangers and consequences of driving under the influence.

“Many people have put a lot of time and effort into this event in hopes of keeping our students and local residents safe this weekend,” said Grzesiak. “I can’t stress enough how dangerous drunk driving can be. That’s why we offer our free late night ride service to the community.”

The free ride service, sponsored by University Police, transports students around DeKalb between 10 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. each night.