Dare County Schools

 Peggy Bennett (right) and her son Josh talk to student at Prom Week Assemblies held at both Manteo and First Flight High Schools on Monday April 20.  Mrs. Bennett's compelling message reinforced the consequences linked to teenage drinking and driving.  Josh, now 26 suffered a severe permanent brain injury in a car crash 8 years ago at age 18 that canceled his plans to attend college and to ever again lead a normal life.

Photo: Sarah Gist

Pre-prom assemblies were held on Monday April 20 at both Manteo High School and First Flight High School.  The intention of these programs was to reinforce the message that catastrophic results can occur when teens choose to match alcohol with driving.  These assemblies were the kick off for a host of pre-prom events scheduled at both schools.

Peggy Bennett, who spoke on behalf of her husband and son who were also present, told the story of how underage drinking and driving has changed their family and created life-long consequences for their now 26-year old son, Josh.  Mrs. Bennett began by assuring the students that she was not a professional speaker.  She was simply delivering a message because her son asked her to.  Josh isn’t able to do it himself because eight years ago at age 18 year old he chose to drink and drive.

Mrs. Bennett’s PowerPoint presentation introduced Josh as a teenager – a typical, enthusiastic, high school student, who was looking forward to how terrific college life would be.  He was also a teenager, like many others, who despite his parent’s warnings that foolish decisions can lead to disaster, believed that nothing bad could happen to him.  But he was wrong.  One evening, near his home in Charlotte, he chose to join some new friends at a bar. Unfortunately, although he was underage, he was served and re-served until when he left the bar to drive the six miles to home, his blood alcohol content was .22. This BAC is nearly three times the legal driving limit – for adults.  His car crashed at 70 miles per hour into a bridge abutment.  Passersby pulled him from the wreckage as the car caught fire. 

Josh Bennett poses with members of the First Flight High School SADD club who were instrumental in bringing his family from Charlotte to speak to students at Prom Week Assemblies held at both Manteo and First Flight High Schools on Monday April 20.  Josh's mother, Peggy Bennett's message reinforced the possible consequences linked to teenage drinking and driving.  Josh, now 26 suffered a severe permanent brain injury in a car crash 8 years ago at age 18 that canceled his plans to attend college and to ever again lead a normal life. 

Photo: Sarah Gist

Although he sustained minimal injuries to the rest of his body, he suffered a severe brain injury.  After weeks in the ICU he remained in a comatose state.  His physician recommended he be transferred to a rehab to possibly assist Josh in reconnecting with the world around him. Weeks later when there was no improvement, his doctors reluctantly told his parents that it was highly possible that Josh would never recover.  When they recommended that the family consider placing him in a skilled nursing facility, they adamantly refused and opted instead to bring him home.  Within a few weeks, he started to show signs of improvement. He started by scratching his face and about seven months later he finally spoke a word. 

Extensive rehabilitation has gone on since that time.  Today, Josh, with the assistance of a walker, accompanies his parents to youth events throughout the state.  Although he still has significant struggles with speech, he was able to personally tell the Manteo High School and First Flight High School juniors and seniors:  Don’t drink!  Don’t drink and drive.  When asked if he wanted to save at least one teen from a similar tragedy, he responded:  “I want to save them all!” 

Afterwards, Kristyn Bennett (no relation), a MHS senior and Vice President of the school’s Students Against Destructive Decision Club, reinforced the message.  “I thought it was a great presentation and very moving.  Hopefully, this will encourage students not to drink and drive during Prom week.”  Officers from both SADD clubs met Peggy Bennett at a statewide leadership conference last November.  When they heard her story, they were determined to find a way to make it possible for the Bennett family to come talk to local teens during MHS and FFHS prom week.  Sarah Gist, a FFHS Senior and SADD Club officer went to the Outer Banks Kiwanis Club and asked for help. 

A $500 donation by the Kiwanis Club and $100 donation from Dare Coalition Against Substance Abuse (Dare CASA) covered most of the family’s travel expenses from Charlotte.  A generous contribution of two nights lodging was provided by the Elizabethan Inn.