OLATHE, Kan. — Olathe Fire Capt. John Myers has a personal message when he talks to students about traffic safety. His 16-year-old son Zach Myers died after a crash in December.

Capt. Myers spoke Thursday at an event called Operation Prom Night at Olathe South High School. The students listened to him after firefighters, police and drama students demonstrated the trauma of a simulated accident.

Zach Myers was a passenger in a vehicle driven by another teen who was going twice the speed limit when their vehicle crashed. Zach died the next day.

Capt. Myers said he hopes hearing of his son's death can help teenagers make better choices.

Firefighters have expanded the prom event beyond its original anti-drunken driving message. Traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for 15- to 20-year-olds.

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Information from: The Kansas City Star, http://www.kcstar.com

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