Firefighters and police officers rushed to rescue four WSU students from a car crash on the mall Tuesday. One student couldn’t be saved. If this were truly a drunken driving accident, someone would be dead.

Hundreds of students gathered on Glenn Terrell Mall at 11:45 a.m. Tuesday to witness a simulated car crash in support of the Anti-Drunk Driving Awareness Week. The event was put on by Alpha Omicron Pi, the Panhellenic Council, the Interfraternity Council, local police and fire departments, and GIVE, ASWSU’s philanthropic outreach group.

Students watched as firefighters pulled the four actors, all WSU students, from a smashed vehicle. One student went into a body bag, two were secured to gurneys, and the fourth was placed under arrest for driving while intoxicated and vehicular homicide.

“We wanted to do something that would stand out,” said AOP member Shannon Baker, a junior communication major. “We definitely wanted to shock people.” Senior communication major Kelsey Anderson said the shock factor was definitely there. “When they started screaming, I didn’t know what was going on," she said. "It’s sad to think that this actually happens and scary to think people are out there driving drunk."

AOP member Megan Boatright, a freshman communication major, said the simulation was to meant educate the public and prevent the loss of any more students the way WSU lost AOP member Tanya Guseva, just after she graduated. Guseva was killed in a drunken driving accident this summer.

“We really hope that people learn from Tanya’s story,” she said.

Junior English major Bradley Tonahill said he was affected by the event. “I think it’s powerful to get an image of the vehicle," he said. "It really opens your eyes."

Within all of the chaos, a clear message shined through, said Graciela Rodriguez, a freshman psychology major.

“It makes you realize how dangerous it is to be drinking and driving,” she said.

AOP members also sold T-shirts and wristbands to fund a study-abroad scholarship, the Tanya Guseva Memorial Scholarship, in memory of their lost sister. Sales will continue on the mall until Friday.

“We wanted to combine the awareness week with both educational and beneficial aspects,” said Samantha Smith, junior international business major and AOP philanthropy chair. Smith said she hopes the Anti-Drunk Driving Awareness Week makes students think twice before getting in a car after drinking, as well as encouraging them to take the keys from drunk friends.

“If we can save even one life, then we’ve done something great,” she said.