[UPDATE 10:27 a.m.: Helicopter Takes Away Injured] Crash in Miranda a Simulated Event for the Every 15 Minute Program

Press release from the California Highway Patrol and South Fork High School:

Students at South Fork High School in a critical incident simulation this morning. [Crop of a photo by Mark McKenna]

On Wednesday, May 1^st, the California Highway Patrol, in conjunction with South Fork High School conducted the Every 15 Minute Program at South Fork High School. The program involved the high school working with the CHP to simulate a drunk driving collision. The collision occurred on the frontage road in front of the administrative building at South Fork High School, at approximately 9:45am. The mock collision is designed to educate students about the realities of the potential results from drunk driving.

The 911 call was broadcasted over the school’s intercom system prompting the students to come out of class and witness the collision scene and responding emergency personnel. The staged collision involving two vehicles and four high school students was staged in the small parking area in front of the main entrance to the school.

Simulation crash [Crop of a photo by Mark McKenna]

The mock collision portrays the aftermath of one vehicle (Lexus) colliding with another vehicle (Jeep). The Lexus stopped at the entrance to SR 254 (Avenue of the Giants) waiting to enter traffic and occupied by two students. The Jeep, occupied by two students, was traveling northbound on SR 254, attempting make the right turn into the school. Due to his level of intoxication, the driver of Jeep could not make the turn safely and the Jeep collided with the Lexus.The driver of the Lexus was pronounced “dead” at the scene, and the passenger was cut out of the vehicle with the “Jaws of Life” and then transported by CHP helicopter to the hospital for major injuries and paralysis.The driver of the Jeep performed sobriety tests on scene and was arrested for DUI before being transported to the Humboldt County Jail. The passenger in the Jeep was transported to the hospital by City Ambulance and treated for a broken leg.

The event included emergency responses from the Miranda, Redway and Garberville Volunteer Fire Departments, CHP, Cal-Fire, City Ambulance, Humboldt County Coroner, and Redwood Towing, just as required in an actual serious collision.

During the mock collision, a videographer documented the event and the resulting video will be posted on Redheaded Black Belt, YouTube and the CHP Garberville facebook page.

Every 15 minutes is a two-day program designed to demonstrate to high school students the devastating impact drinking and driving can have on friends, families and their community. The first day of the program highlighted by the simulated traffic collision in front of the high school involved an impaired teenage driver and a fatally injured victim.

Throughout the rest of the academic day, the Grim Reaper went around to classrooms and removed students from class every 15 minutes to show how often young people are killed in impaired driving incidents.

The program concludes the second day with a wrap-up assembly for all high school students. In addition, the school will have counselors available to work with students if needed.

This event was conducted by the Garberville Office of the California Highway Patrol, with the support and sponsorship of the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, Humboldt Office of District Attorney, Redway, Garberville, and Miranda Volunteer Fire Departments, Cal-Fire, Jerold Phelps Hospital, City Ambulance, Humboldt Mortuary, Redwood Towing and Auto Repair.All media inquiries should be forwarded to Officer Fowler, Public Information Officer, Garberville Area (126). The mission of the California Highway Patrol is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service and Security to the people of California.

Students at South Fork High School in a critical incident simulation this morning. These students may have been drunk driving. [Crop of a photo by Mark McKenna]

Below we will be updating with photos by Mark McKenna of the event as it unfolds.

Firefighters are extricating students from a vehicle.

South Fork High School student Cooper Scott is being field tested for a DUI in this simulated event.

UPDATE 10:14 a.m.: Students at South Fork High School heard a 911 call being broadcast. They are now outside watching as their classmates are simulating a DUI crash that occurred in front of their school.

One student is reported to be dead, another critically injured as firefighters extricate them from the vehicles.

Our photographer on the scene is calling in details of the accident as if he had happened on a real crash. Nearby students are overhearing the call as if it were real.

Emergency personnel work over the injured student as if their wounds were real.

Students are being encouraged to imagine what a drunk driving accident could mean their community.

UPDATE 10: 20 a.m.: While one student is being carried away by emergency personnel….

…another, the driver, is being tested for DUI.

UPDATE 10:27 a.m.: A helicopter landed to carry away the “critically injured” patient.

UPDATE 10:31 a.m.: The students watch as the injured student was prepared for transport.

Students watch…