Shattered Dreams shows grim realities of D.W.I.

Crosby High School learns of the realism of trauma and horror that results from driving under the influence. Here rescue crews of all stripes reenact attempts to save shattered bodies


Some pretend to become immune to the gruesome vestige of highway carnage that goes hand in hand with driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, this newbie does not.

Not once after having witnessed infant heads torn off or entire families butchered has this reporter failed to have a visceral reaction and that is a nonobjective ringing endorsement for Shattered Dreams.

The program was an enactment put on at Crosby High School featuring the very possible scenario of a head-on collision between two cars loaded with classmates. One of the classmates pretends to die at the scene, one is loaded into a Precinct 3 Patrol Vehicle after failing a field sobriety test, one is pretend loaded onto a LifeFlight helicopter, one is pretend cut from a vehicle and loaded onto an ambulance.

Some students have been involved with putting on this show since October. Many local entities in the Crosby/Huffman chamber of Commerce contributed. The list of financial contributors to the project also includes those that volunteered time.

As Principal Morley Morris told his classes, “Over the course of the next 48 hours you will be exposed to multiple experiences designed to show you the harsh consequences of such decisions. We realize that each student reacts differently; however, appropriate and respectful behavior is expected during all activities.”

Superintendent Mike Joseph stated simply, “Shattered Dreams is one of the best programs we have had at Crosby ISD our students attention and attendance was outstanding and if it reaches just one student it was well worth it.”

Those wishing to ask who paid for the program will find that the several thousands of dollars not including donated time by first responders, volunteer time from teachers baking goods and the balance of the cost from the student activity account where cell phone confiscation fees were collected. Crosby High Principal Marley Morris says, “That is how we use a punishment for the good of our students.”

Morris indicates, “Adults steered it but the engine driving the program were the students. That is what was so fun to watch, on Friday there were over 1500 students in that gym and you could have heard a pin drop for an hour and twenty minutes. It was amazing.”

One must also examine who sponsored this event, none other than esteemed leaders of this community that are known to be concerned about the well being of young people: Representative Joe Crabb gave several hundred dollars, Mr. and Ms. Mike Joseph, Judge Mike Parrot, Harris County Justice of the Peace (Pct. 3, Place 1,) Constable Ken Jones, Crosby Fair and Rodeo, Inc., Crosby VFW Post 9761 and Lady’s Auxiliary, Hotchkiss Disposal Services LTD, Hudson Mechanical, Casper Wrecker Service, Harris County ESD No. 5, Crosby Volunteer Fire Dept., Sterling-White Funeral Home, Mark Walker Trucking, and Memorial LifeFlight.

Morris concluded, “When students leave the four walls that we have put to protect them they are members of the community, we can no longer control what they do. Our goal is to send a message that their are consequences for our actions. We hope they think twice, don’t get into a car when someone has been drinking. We hope they learned the lessons of a crash having happened on campus without the realities of having to say goodbye permanently to friends.”

On average, someone in the State of Texas dies every 30 minutes due to an alcohol related accident.