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Elgin High School students and staff recently got a sobering look at the real-life consequences of impaired driving during the school’s Shattered Dreams program.
The presentation featured a simulated two-vehicle collision involving student actors and a full emergency response from the Elgin Police Department and Bastrop/Travis County Emergency Services District No. 1. A hearse arrived on scene as responders used the jaws of life to dismantle the trucks, pulled bloodied bodies from the wreckage and declared multiple fatalities in front of a stunned crowd.
“The entire thing was amazing,” one staff member said in a feedback survey. “I was blown away at how realistic it all was. The makeup and visual effects were amazing and heavily commented on. Great job to everyone that helped plan and implement the event.”
The dramatic crash unfolded in the teacher parking lot and included anguished cries from family members, responders calling out “black tags” to identify deceased victims and bodies carried on stretchers past students. One actor portraying a distraught father collapsed in tears at the sight of his daughter’s body.
“The actual scene was horrifying,” one student said. “They did really well, and I felt like they really did get the message across. It made my stomach turn when the dad was screaming for his daughter.”
Drama students wore makeup to mimic head trauma, deep lacerations and broken limbs. One was carried away in a neck brace while others were declared dead at the scene, zipped into body bags and loaded into the hearse.
Body cam footage shows the responders ensured everyone was safe and comfortable during the demonstration, checking in on the “living dead” so that they were not overheating in the body bags.
A grim reaper figure loomed silently nearby and later returned to classrooms to remove students one by one. These students remained silent for the rest of the day, symbolizing DUI-related fatalities and their lasting effect.
“It spurred some conversations with my freshmen about what was happening,” another teacher said. “I do believe that it was successful. It was very impactful.”
Later in the day, students gathered for an assembly where guest speakers—including Elgin community members—shared personal stories of tragedy, loss and the long-term impact of drunk driving.
“They show us the truth and share every experience they had along the way,” one student said. “It influences me to take more care of my friends even if they don’t want me to.”
Teachers echoed that sentiment.
“It was a great reminder for students to make safe choices,” one said. “Having people from our town was a big plus.”
The program received positive feedback overall, with students giving it an average impact score of 7.25 out of 10, and several marking it as a 10.
“The actors did great with portraying their emotions and setting the mood,” one student wrote. “You could feel their fear and worry, along with their sadness and dejection.”
Shattered Dreams is a state-recognized initiative that uses theater, emergency response simulation and firsthand testimony to educate teens about the dangers of underage drinking and driving.
Counselors were available throughout the day for students who found the experience emotionally difficult.
