The community of Wacousta grieves for two men who died and 14 others injured, and the emergency crews that responded to the incident Saturday night are processing what they saw. Investigators say a drunk driver slammed into the group of people as they walked on the side of the road.
First responders’ exposure to extreme incidents makes them 50% more likely to have depression and PTSD compared to everyone else, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Sadly, their rate of suicide is higher, too. First responders nationwide and here in Mid-Michigan are working to decrease those numbers.
“It’s very stressful on any first responder to have to pick through the injured and decide, ‘Who can I save now?’” said Delta Township Fire Chief Gregg Ginnebaugh.