Different Golden Valley High students were pulled out of class every 15 minutes to symbolize the number of people killed in alcohol-related crashes each year.

The program is a two-day presentation involving a realistic simulated crash in front of the high school to give students a real look at the destruction of a DUI crash.

“We do try to let them know that it does happen, it is real, and it can happen to them and their friends,” said Detective Bill Velek, with the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station Juvenile Intervention Team (J-Team).

Velek noted the outreach to high schools and the community has been effective, with more education events planned for the future.

“It happens unfortunately in our valley, in our state and across the country everyday,” said Velek. “We have made strides in the information and getting the information to the kids.”

The program has been going on for over 20 years, and in that time, the number of drunk driving deaths has decreased dramatically.

“The program is working,” said Officer Josh Greengard, with the California Highway Patrol Newhall area station.

Greengard noted that when the program first started, there was a DUI-related death every 15 minutes, but now that number is over 55 minutes.

“With education, you’re not going to get to everyone,” said Greengard. “But if you get to the ones that want to listen, we can save lives that way.”

Throughout the morning, students were called out of class by the “Grim Reaper” every 15 minutes and were considered one of the “walking dead” who roamed the campus, but could not communicate with others.

The “dead” students had an artist paint their faces to look like ghouls as a haunting reminder of DUI-related deaths.

Officials with the coroner’s office also handled fatalities on the scene as deputies investigated and arrested the “drunk driver,” who would then be booked at the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station and put in a cell with an actual jumpsuit.

“It will take time to sink in,” said Greengard. “In the next few days and weeks, the real impact starts.”

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