On Thursday, March 20th and the first time in over ten years, the California Highway Patrol in conjunction with La Mirada High School conducted a simulated drunk driving traffic collision as part of the Every 15 Minutes program.
The program spanned two days that focused on high school students, challenging them to think about drinking or using drugs, operating a motor vehicle, personal safety, and the responsibilities of making mature decisions. It also graphically portrayed the impact that it has on family, friends, and communities. The program partnered with the Santa Fe Springs California Highway Patrol, the school district, local hospitals, and emergency medical responders to validate the importance of how working together ensures a safe and healthy community.
The first day simulated a traffic collision that involved a teenage driver and fatally injured victims. The event included emergency response teams from police, fire, ambulance public works and tow truck companies, as it would in a real life synopsis. One of the victims was laid flat as if she had gone through the windshield. After all survivors were checked out, the student in the most critical condition was simulated to be a medical evacuation via a helicopter.
“The crash does not care who you are or who you know; everybody is fair game in that situation. And as young adults, you have the power and choice to stop the situation before it can end in injuries or even death,” stated Officer Zachary Salazar, Santa Fe Springs CHP.
The second day of the program began with Taylor Baltazar, junior class president speaking at the funeral. There were 27 students wearing black and placed roses on the empty casket provided by White Emerson Mortuary. The La Mirada High School choir sang as baby pictures of the “deceased” students flashed across the gymnasium screen. Officer Salazar introduced the program again and the loss of the students who were pronounced dead.
A video presentation filmed and edited by student Samantha Torres, depicted the entire event leading up to the accident and subsequent funeral. Deputy District Attorney Britany Vannoy, who specializes in DUI training and prosecution stated “I see so many cases where high school student’s lives are lost. This can be stopped by not drinking and driving. If you insist on drinking, then have a designated driver.” Speaker Miguel Wong-Rivera, the founder and director of the Dream Big Project, shared his personal story of how he got into a car crash on the freeway as a result of driving under the influence. He explained that the crash not only caused him to be paralyzed but also took over his will to live. He was able to pull through that time and find purpose by founding an organization to help others and speaking to teens about the dangers of driving under the influence.
Although this was a staged crash that involved students who were classified as “critically and fatally wounded” and transported via ambulance to local hospitals, and an “injured” student, arrested for drunk driving. It was a sobering reminder that every action has consequences.
Teenagers and adults are constantly reminded about the choices they have to make involving alcohol and how many others are affected by their decisions. They know the intellectual statistics. However, many teens share the belief it will never happen to them. This powerful program is designed to create awareness among students that they are not invincible. This program helps open the emotional doors for them to experience firsthand how their actions affect the lives of so many other people.
