A violent crash outside Saugus High School Thursday morning killed two students, and a third was arrested for driving under the influence when the head-on collision occurred.

Luckily, this crash was simulated, and no students actually died.

The students involved in the fake crash were participating in the “Every 15 Minutes” program, designed to combat drunk driving by teaching students about the real life dangers and consequences of hitting the road while under the influence.

Every 15 Minutes is a two day reenactment presentation performed by teens, school faculty and emergency responders.

On the first day, a junior or senior at the high school is taken out of class every 15 minutes by the Grim Reaper, and their name and picture are displayed across the school, symbolizing the four teens per hour who are killed by drunk driving in the U.S. every day.

Saugus High School ‘Every 15 Minutes’

Eric Aubrey was one of the “living dead victims” claimed by the volunteer Grim Reaper in class.

“My brother did it two years ago, said Aubrey. “My brother had a friend that was lost to drinking and driving. They fell victim because someone else was drinking and driving …. It can affect so many people.”

In the middle of the school day Thursday, a head-on car crash was simulated in the street in front of the campus. The simulation depicted a drunk student striking another vehicle, killing two people.

Principal Vince Ferry spoke to his student audience after the crash scene and asked them to pay attention to how this presentation made them feel, and to remember the sights and sounds during the crash scene.

“This is one of the most important days we have talking about drinking and driving,” Ferry said after addressing the students. “I think that Every 15 Minutes does exceptionally well. It brings this reality to them without having to experience it first hand.”

The students taken throughout the day, as well as those “killed” in the crash do not go home to see their families. They are put up in a hotel for the night, and are not allowed to contact any of their friends or loved ones.

LACoFD personnel work on freeing victims from simulated car collision at the ‘Every 15 Minutes’ presentation.

After the crash, one of the crash victims was transported to Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital to be treated for “life threatening injuries.”

The rest of the performers will go to the Santa Clarita courthouse to participate in a mock DUI trial, sentencing and hearing before a real judge.

Then the group will go to Eternal Valley, to see how much it costs to bury someone and to face the worst of the scenario for a parent: planning a funeral.

A student playing the drunk driver was given a sobriety test in front of the students, who were brought out to watch the aftermath, and was taken into custody and transported to the Santa Clarita Sheriff’s Station for booking and a mock trial.

Saugus student Aubrey Finicle played one of the victims in the program, providing her peers with a stark view of the realities of drinking and driving.

“I was compelled to help out today because my best friend was killed by a distracted driver before my freshman year, said Aubrey. “If I can stop someone else from making a decision that killed someone else or just destroyed them …. If I can do anything, that’s why I’m doing this.”

Saugus High School ‘Every 15 Minutes’

Friday, students will gather in the Saugus High gym for an assembly. There, the parents of the children “killed” over the previous day will read eulogies for their sons and daughters. The parents of several teens killed by drunk driving will also address the students.

The Saugus News Network video production class will show a  film they created from footage of the previous day, recapping the damage caused by — even fake — drunk driving deaths.  

Initially the program was operated by the California Department of Alcohol Control until 2000 when the program responsibilities were given to the California Highway Patrol and the Office of Traffic Safety.

Officer Greengard with the Newhall CHP office supported the all day event to educate Saugus High teens the real life dangers of drinking and driving.

“It’s not just a little 30 minute crash scene. It’s a whole real life scenario,” said Greengard. “I think it shows (teens) a real life scenario, that they get immersed into, and it shows them first hand the real life experience.”

As Santa Clarita’s only local radio station, KHTS mixes in a combination of news, traffic, sports, and features along with your favorite adult contemporary hits. Santa Clarita news and features are delivered throughout the day over our airwaves, on our website and through a variety of social media platforms. Our KHTS national award-winning daily news briefs are now read daily by 34,000+ residents. A vibrant member of the Santa Clarita community, the KHTS broadcast signal reaches all of the Santa Clarita Valley and parts of the high desert communities located in the Antelope Valley. The station streams its talk shows over the web, reaching a potentially worldwide audience. Follow @KHTSRadio on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and sign up for KHTS email and text alerts today!