Prom fever has hit Alameda High School. But school officials hope drunken driving won’t also strike before and after prom Friday, April 28.
The mother of a 14-year-old killed in a 2003 teen driving accident led an April 20 assembly with her account of the night her son died and the incident’s aftermath.
“I don’t go five minutes without thinking about him,” Rebecca Ellsworth told the student body. “I’m always thinking that this did not need to happen. He should be alive.”
On Feb. 28, 2003, Brian Ellsworth was riding in a car with seven other teens. The driver, 16-year-old Mallory Leak, reportedly drove up to 80 mph on a 30-mph road near Ken Caryl. Despite implorations from her passengers to slow down, Leak continued speeding and swerved into an oncoming van. Ellsworth, Caitlin Amber Craig-McLeod and Michael Heykoop were killed. Leak was sentenced to probation.
Since the accident, Ellsworth has visited about 50 schools speaking against drunken driving, reckless driving and lax seatbelt usage.
“I hope I’ve made a difference,” she said. “I’ll never know for sure, if I’ve caused someone to not get into a car when they know they shouldn’t.”
Ellsworth’s appearance coincided with the Colorado State Patrol’s Alive at 25 program, which encourages responsible youth driving decisions. An MTV-style video was shown at the assembly prior to Ellsworth’s presentation.
“I thought it was really, really, really sad,” said freshman Chay Johnson. “It was more effective than the video to have someone there telling her story and making it personal.”
After the assembly, students gathered in the parking lot to see the wrecked 2000 Chevy Impala in which the three teens lost their lives.
Kali Smith, a senior, said viewing the wrecked car was scary, but she already avoids drunken driving.
“I’ve definitely had the pressure, ‘Why don’t you drink? Why don’t you party?’” she said. “I just deal with it by being myself.”