The Virginia Tech community is invited to see firsthand the after effects of an accident caused by drunken or distracted driving.

Beginning at 5:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 29, the Virginia Tech Rescue Squad, in a partnership with Blacksburg Fire Department, Virginia Tech Police Department, and a Carilion LifeGuard Med-Evac helicopter, will conduct a simulated motor vehicle collision on Drillfield Drive between Davidson Hall and Sandy Hall.

The event is free and open to the public. Flashing lights and sirens on emergency vehicles will be used during the drill.

The simulation is intended to raise awareness of the dangers and life threatening consequences of driving distracted or under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

The exercise will last approximately 90 minutes. To accommodate the event, the section of Drillfield Drive between Davidson Hall and Sandy Hall will be closed to vehicular traffic from 5-9 p.m. to allow for set up, the drill itself, and proper clean up. During the landing and take off of the helicopter in the grassy area near The Grove, West Campus Drive traffic will be stopped for a brief period of time.

The simulated accident will be staged on the Drillfield and will include the entrapment of patients within the vehicles. Rescue squad and fire department teams will use the Jaws of Life to remove entrapped patients from the vehicles.

The Med-Evac helicopter will then simulate the transport of a critically-injured patient by landing and lifting off from the grassy field adjacent to Grove Lane.

Free parking is available around the Drillfield with a visitor's pass from 5-8 p.m. Parking is also available in the Perry Street Lots and the Perry Street Parking Garage near Prices Fork Road. Find more parking information online or call 540-231-3200.