FONTANA, CA – Jurupa Hills High School juniors and seniors gathered along the street in front of campus on the morning of Feb. 23, where they were met with a tragic scene: a staged car crash involving their classmates, designed to confront them with the real-life consequences of driving under the influence.

The simulation is part of Jurupa Hills’ participation in the national “Every 15 Minutes” program, challenging students to reflect on the dangers of impaired driving. Throughout the school day, one student was pulled from class every 15 minutes, symbolizing the lives lost to alcohol-related crashes. By the time students assembled outside, they were faced with a powerful visual reminder of how quickly a single decision can alter countless lives.

Among those helping bring the message to life was junior Skylar Williams, who portrayed a crash victim in the scene. For Williams, the experience was personal, and she said she hopes her classmates walked away with a deeper understanding of how quickly lives can change.

“It is important that we’re sharing this message with everybody. I know people and have family members who have been affected by drunk driving, so I wanted to help spread awareness,” Williams said. “You never know what’s going to happen, so you always need to be mindful of what you’re doing and pay attention to your surroundings.”

The scene unfolded with support from the California Highway Patrol, Fontana Unified School Police Department, Fontana Police Department, and the San Bernardino County Fire Department, whose personnel responded as they would in a real emergency.

Behind the scenes, Jurupa Hills’ Stage Production Career Technical Education (CTE) students played a key role in developing the storyline and directing the simulation, and handling makeup to add to the scene’s authenticity. Students selected to participate represented different grade levels and campus communities, helping the message resonate across the student body.

The following day, participating students attended a retreat that included a mock funeral, visits to the San Bernardino County Coroner’s Office and a detention center, and guided reflection activities. Parents were involved in the process to help continue conversations about safe decision-making at home and in the community.

“The ‘Every 15 Minutes’ program creates a powerful and lasting impact by helping students understand the real consequences of their choices,” Fontana Unified Superintendent Miki R. Inbody said. “By placing students at the center of this experience and encouraging reflection alongside their families and community partners, we are helping them recognize their responsibility to protect themselves and others in the community.”

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

JHHS_EVERY_15_MINUTES1: Jurupa Hills High School Stage Production Career Technical Education students and instructors apply special effects makeup to a student portraying a crash victim during the school’s “Every 15 Minutes” program on Feb. 23. The simulation was designed to help students understand the real-life consequences of drunk driving.

JHHS_EVERY_15_MINUTES2: A Jurupa Hills High School student portraying one of the “living dead” reflects on lost dreams and opportunities during the school’s “Every 15 Minutes” program on Feb. 23, symbolizing lives cut short by impaired driving.