The University Police Department staged a mock DUI crash Thursday night at the Convocation Center parking lot to inform students about the dangers of drinking and driving.

“We … wanted to cut down on DUI’s during Homecoming week and we hoped this would be a very visual and graphic way to do that,” said University Police officer Joe Przybyla. “We hope it’ll cut down … on the number of people who decided to drink and drive.”

The crash began with an announcement that there had been an accident. A few minutes later, a squad car arrived with police, who administered field sobriety tests.

An ambulance and fire truck arrived after the police.

“Hopefully, no one will drink and drive [after seeing this],” said Lt. Jim Zarek of the DeKalb Fire Department.

Ryan Welch was one of the “victims” involved with the crash.

“Last year, I lost two pretty good friends of mine in a DUI accident, and two years ago, I did lose a family member,” Welch said. “A lot of people do it (drink and drive). It’s not right.”

Two other “victims” had to be removed from their vehicle.

“They’re tearing … the car apart so they can get them out freely without injuring them anymore than they possibly are,” said UP officer Cynthia Glodowski.

Brett Hartley was removed from the car and flown out in a helicopter. It was operated by OSF St. Anthony Medical Center in Rockford.

“DUI’s and drinking and driving isn’t cool,” Hartley said. “People can really get hurt.”

Some students thought the crash was a learning experience.

“I think it’s educational because not a lot of people realize what goes on when a DUI happens, so now I think they will get the full picture,” said Lindsey Ridenour, a special education major.

Students who saw the crash appreciated its portrayal.

“It was informational and … a very realistic depiction of what could happen,” said sociology major Katy Johnson.

A local class of EMT students also had the opportunity to watch the crash.

“I think it’s excellent that they have something to demonstrated the emergency response system,” said Kristi Kief a student in the EMT class. “I had a friend in high school who was killed by a DUI driver. It was traumatic for everybody who knew him.”

According to DeKalb police, 154 people were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs in 2002, an increase of 14 from 2001.