04:48 PM EDT on Friday, April 21, 2006

By MARK BOONE / 6NEWS
E-mail Mark: MBoone@WCNC.COM

On February 18 two people died. The next day, the public was told that a student from Myers Park High School was driving drunk and going in the wrong direction on Interstate 485 and was responsible for the crash. Now, police have taken action and charged or cited 17 students in connection with the fatal crash.

That February crash caused folks living in Myers Park to take a closer look at the problem of teen drinking. But as news of Friday’s arrests spread on the campus of Myers Park High School, several students and some parents told 6NEWS it seems few have learned any lessons from that wrong way wreck.

Friday, 6NEWS’ cameras were posted near the entrance of Myers Park High School. An assistant principal was apparently frustrated by the presence of reporters.

“You guys have beaten this thing to death,” said Assistant Principal Bill McCarver.

Two administrators and some parents said the media has focused too much on this high school where many of the teens arrested or cited attend class.

“I didn't think they were going to get arrested or anything like that,” Myers Park student Rosh Dunway said.

Dunaway shared the surprise of several students, who said they did not expect so many teens to land in trouble weeks after the alleged underage party.

“Myers Park has the reputation of having good students and the type of person that he was, it was really a shock and it was really shock to know the number of people that were involved,” said Myers Park student Denishie Allen.

“I know parties are still going on. People are still drinking. I don't think it's making as big of an impact as it should,” one Myers Park student said.