BATH, N.Y. (WENY) -- An initiative to educate students on the dangers of distracted, impaired, and intoxicated driving was presented by Steuben County Sheriff Jim Allard on Friday, June 21. A physical simulation allows these young drivers to see what a fatal consequence of this nature looks like.

After a series of fatal accidents in 2019, the Steuben County Sheriff's Office decided to turn these tragedies into educational opportunities for young drivers. Emilee Rawleigh of Dansville was one of those victims. To honor her, the Emilee's Challenge Trailer was created and will soon travel the area.  

The Sheriff's Office obtained a vehicle from one of those 2019 accidents, separate from Emilee's, that claimed the lives of four people. Those victims were Korbie L. Higgins (age 28), Coy F. Miner (age 26), Adam P. Bellamy (age 29), and Nicole L. Wise (age 25). A graphic on the side of the trailer said, "The investigation concluded that alcohol and excessive speed both played a very significant role in the crash." 

Steuben County Sheriff Jim Allard says that visuals like this bring the realness of these accidents to light.

"We decided to take that tragedy and try to turn it into an educational opportunity by putting it into a trailer along with video and graphic so that we can have all three stimuli going when we go to educate our young people about the dangers of distracted, impaired, and intoxicated driving," said Allard.

While the trailer contains a vehicle from a different accident, it was named in honor of Rawleigh because of her mother, Kim Clark. When the concept first came up, Clark agreed under one condition.

"The trailer came to me by Undersheriff John McNelis and Sheriff Allard and had said 'Kim we have this purpose; we're going to try for a grant,'" said Clark, "Because I work as their dispatcher and had just lost Emilee, the Sheriff came and said, 'How do you feel about Emilee's Challenge Trailer?' I said, 'Only if I get to talk with it and only-- my goal, forever goal-- is to make good choices."

A video plays on a loop outside of the trailer with testimonials from all of the victim's families and first responders who assisted at the scene of the accidents. Sheriff Allard says it's a rare opportunity for first responders to help in this way.

"I think that's what we've done with this trailer here is take these tragedies and turn them into an educational tool that will help people stay alive," Allard said. "To me that's one of the best things that I could possibly do as Sheriff." 

Clark hopes that people who aren't able to see the trailer in person watch the testimonial video. She said Undersheriff McNelis can provide the video for those who wish to watch. She also thanked the Sheriff's Department, all of their collaborators, and each member of Emilee's Challenge Committee for helping to make this initiative possible. 

"I'm here to make one better choice," Clark said. "Make good choices on behalf of Emilee. I love her always and forever."

Emilee's Challenge Trailer will be on display at the Steuben County Fair in August. It will also travel to 13 local school districts and two BOCES in the area. The Steuben County Sheriff's Office, the loved ones of the victims, and Emilee's Challenge Committee hopes to continue expanding the reach of the trailer throughout the region. Sheriff Allard said they will make the trailer available to those who would like to utilize it.