RivCo Helicopters, Police, Fire Teach High School Students DUI's Deadly Dangers

MURRIETA, CA — Murrieta Police, fire, and other emergency response agencies want to save your high schooler's life.

On Thursday, the departments held a dramatic recreation of a DUI crash on the grounds of Vista Murrieta High School. Known as the "Every 15 Minutes" program, this puts high school students in the driver's seat to see firsthand what a DUI crash can do to the lives of those involved, as well as to everyone who knows them.

Emergency crews recreated a fatal DUI traffic collision on the high school grounds, according to School Resource Officer Mark Cuny.

All sophomore, junior, and senior class students viewed the crash and took part afterward in the mock funeral, according to Cuny.

During the production, "numerous police, fire, and ambulance personnel responded to Vista Murrieta High School with lights and sirens before noon, and a helicopter from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department landed on the school grounds shortly after noon to airlift one of the 'critically injured' student volunteer actors to a trauma center," he said. "This entire event is a mock scene. There is no actual emergency, and no students, faculty, or staff at the high school will be injured or in any danger during this staged program."

Every 15 Minutes concludes with a mock “funeral” presented at a student body assembly for those in attendance. The Freshman class did not participate.

Many Murrieta residents vividly recall their "Every 15 Minutes" lesson, and several chimed in on the police department social media page.

"I still remember when our school did this program back in 2000 at Chaparral. They had a dozen or so students walking the halls for a couple days with their faces painted black and white to represent they had died in a DUI related accident and they weren't allowed to talk to anyone throughout the day," they wrote. "I still remember trying we'd forget and try and talk with them during break and or lunch and them just standing there not responding looking sullen. Then at the end of the week they did this scene on campus. It was the most impactful experience. I wish they still went full out but I suppose just the scene on campus could be as impactful."

Others mentioned that if the event saves even one life, it's worth it.