“Every 15 minutes”

The drunk driving awareness program, known as “Every 15 Minutes,” presented its simulated car crash today in front of the student body.

The presentation showed the actual procedures followed by emergency medical service personnel and police officers in the event of a severe car accident.

The suspected drunk driver, obviously intoxicated and confused by the situation, was evaluated through a number of sobriety tests then arrested for DUI.

Meanwhile, other emergency responders worked to remove the other victims from the vehicles as quickly and safely as possible.

Junior Daniel Drehoff played the passenger of the drunk driver. In the simulation, he had not been wearing his seat belt, and was therefore ejected from the inside of the vehicle and halfway through the front windshield. His leg was badly injured and he was screaming in pain.

One victim, the driver of the car that was struck by the drunk driver’s vehicle, was declared dead on the scene after a failed attempt at CPR by paramedics. The victim, senior Cameron Felch, was then transported away from the scene in a hearse followed closely behind by the Grim Reaper.

Earlier in the day, students were pulled from class by the Grim Reaper while a police officer read an obituary prepared by the students’ parents to their classes. The obituaries are posted on doors and lockers in hallways around the school. The participants returned to their classes with white and gray face paint to resemble the fact that they had passed away, and can not talk to teachers or peers until Friday.

The program continued the next day with a memorial service for all of the victims killed in the crash, including words from the victims’ parents. The memorial itself prompted tears of emotion from students and staff alike.

Overall, the experience seemed to be successful, leaving an impact on the school.

Every Fifteen Minutes reflection video