High school students are often told about the dangers of drinking and driving, but one Hilltown high school uses the element of surprise to teach students a lifesaving lesson.

When Lilly Dalton came to school on Monday, she knew it would be the day she would die in a simulated car crash, but she wasn't prepared for how real the experience would feel.

"When they started using the jaws of life you don't think about the sounds and it's just really intense," says Dalton.

Dalton is part of the Student Council at Gateway Regional High School in Huntington. Council members organized the mock accident, and kept it a secret from students.

"In a car accident you're not prepared so I think that was an element that we tried to incorporate," says Dalton.

"If you don't know what is going to happen it's more like real life," says Senior Doug Messer.

And though Lilly and another student pretended to die in the accident that wasn't the only consequence of the crash. The simulation also showed students what can happen to the survivors.

"You never know what side you are going to be on," says Dalton. "Whether you're the driver, or a victim or someone who has to deal with their friends dying."

It's not just drinking and driving police are trying to protect against. They used a crash dummy to show the kids what can happen when you don't wear your seat belt.

"It really scares you and informs you about what can really happen," says Messer.

Information that Messer says will help him make better decisions on prom night.

"Maybe hit a party after, but I won't be drinking," adds Messer