PARSIPPANY — On Friday, June 3, Parsippany High School held their Fifth Annual Anti-Drunk Driving Program for seniors. This program was created to help raise awareness about the dangers of drunk driving. Parsippany-Troy Hills law enforcement officials worked closely with school administrators, Parsippany Rescue Squads, Parsippany Fire Department and Atlantic Air Medical Unit and other community stakeholders, to help raise student awareness against drunk driving, especially at this time of the year with upcoming prom and graduation celebrations.
The program is so unique from year to year which adds to the impact that is left on the students. The students created the video from beginning to end and take complete ownership of the project. Statements from participating students:
Jessica Phillips said “Being apart of the anti-drunk driving program was an unforgettable experience. During the presentation I had to pretend to be dead and hearing my mom cry over my body was so scary, I would never want her to experience that pain ever again. After it was all over I was very emotional, I didn’t expect it to have such a great effect on me. Teenagers are told all the time by their parents not to drink and drive, but seeing the accident and what emergency workers have to do in this kind of situation is the best way to show them the consequences of drinking and driving. I’m so grateful I was able to participate in this program and I hope it had a great impact on the students because no family should have to lose a loved one due to one horrible mistake.”
Kevin Jones stated “I think the fact that something like this can happen at any moment makes it so important for kids to be aware and to think about things before making a bad decision.”
“I knew going into today that it was going to be emotional, but I didn’t realize how much of an impact it would have on me. Sitting in the cop car after I got arrested, I had this guilty feeling in my gut that I had done something wrong even though it wasn’t real. After today, I know I never want to experience that feeling ever again said Daniella Spillert.
Melissa Novotny stated “When we began recording I knew I was going to be emotionally affected but I would have never thought I would’ve felt the way I did during the accident. It was an amazing experience that really opened my eyes to how extreme the consequences can be.”
Kevin Jones was paralyzed and will never be able to walk again; Melissa Novotny died during transport; Daniella Spillert was charged with Driving Under Influence, two charges to vehicular manslaughter and received a prison term of sixty years, and Jessica Phillips died at the scene.
Cast and students participants are:
Kevin Jones, Melissa Novotny, Daniella Spillert and Jessica Phillips.
Parents participating are: Ellen and Doug Jones; Bonnie and John Novotny; Michael and Dorotea Spillert; and Annmarie and Robert Phillips.
Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department; Parsippany Rescue and Recovery 69; Rockaway Neck Volunteer Ambulance Squad and Parsippany Volunteer Ambulance Squad; and Parsippany Volunteer Fire Department Districts 4 and 5.
TV Production Teacher: Andy Nicholes; TV Production students: Jacob Feldman and Sarah Di Pippa; Sound and Lighting Advisor: Steve Gilgur; Autos Teacher: Matt Lazzari; Emergency Room Doctor: Dr.William Gluckman; Makeup Artists: Michelle Stanel and Nikki Ilic . Special Thanks to Atlantic Health Systems, Video On The Go, Parsippany-Troy Hills Detective Bob Lenahan and Tyler Smith from Rockaway Neck Volunteer Ambulance Squad.
Due to weather conditions, the Atlantic Air Medical Unit was cancelled for safety reasons.
Don’t drink and drive. If you been drinking, always call someone. Don’t let your friends drink and drive.
This presentation was filmed by Video-On-The Go.
