The Peru Gazette

By John T Ryan

Peru, May 16, 2024—This morning, Peru High School’s juniors and seniors witnessed something that, hopefully, they’ll never forget. The two-hundred-fifty students watched as firefighters, emergency personnel and student volunters reenacted a two-vehicle crash involving drugs and distracted driving. One youth died at the scene of the crash. Later, in the high school auditorium, students silently watched as the emergency personnel made a futile effort to revive another victim as her parents and sister looked on.  The reenacted tragedy occurred after a high school prom. Peru’s prom takes place this weekend. 

Russell Haag, Clinton County STOP DWI Coordinator, explained how accidents such as this affect family, friends, classmates, and the entire community.  He asked, “How would you feel if one of your classmates doesn’t return to school next Monday?” He said New York State has already experienced 40,990 fatal crashes this year, with 17,000 related to impaired driving. He asked the students, “What’s the legal alcohol limit for you students?” A student responded, “08%.” That’s incorrect. For any licensed driver under 21 years of age, the legal alcohol limit is 0%.  Haag also noted that all local police agencies will conduct intensified DWI patrols this weekend. 

Rick Hazen related personal experiences where two people he loved were either injured or died in distracted driving and alcohol impairment incidents. In the first instance, Hazen is the person who distracted the driver, his best friend.  

The Peru Fire Department brought “Project Prom” to Peru High School. The Keeseville and South Plattsburgh Fire Departments, Morrisonville EMS, CVPH Emergency Rescue, the Clinton County Sheriff’s Department, and the New York State Police assisted the Peru Fire Department. John Stafford, the Peru Department’s EMS captain and full-time CVPH EMS paramedic, coordinated the program.