When the thought of high school comes to mind, several key words usually follow: freedom, driving, responsibilities, drama, parties, working and even choices.

But it’s when parties and driving mix, and alcohol is added, that the reality of one’s choices intensifies.

Every 15 minutes, someone in the United States is involved in a fatal motor vehicle crash where alcohol is involved.

If this fact alone doesn’t startle, then perhaps the simulated car accident displayed by the Every 15 Minutes Program will.

Every 15 Minutes is a program that started in California in the 1990s and was developed to unite a community and spread awareness about teenagers drinking and driving.

“[The program] is supposed to make you think twice about your choices and how you drive and how other people drive,” says one guest speaker, who wishes to remain anonymous.

For the first portion of the program, high school classes were interrupted by the “grim reaper,” a costumed man who called for students whose “time had come.” Shortly after, a police officer or school official entered the room and read an obituary that the student’s parents had written.

These students were called upon to represent those who die or are seriously injured in alcohol-related collisions every 15 minutes. Once taken from class, the “living dead” were not seen again.

Some time later, juniors and seniors were escorted to the gruesome “crime scene” displayed on Bermuda Road. Senior Ali Fragoso was seen in the driver’s seat of one vehicle with severe injuries.

“As a family member, seeing Ali like that really hurt me,” says Fragoso’s freshman niece Meaghan Fragoso.

In the same vehicle, passenger Joseph Babitz, a senior, had been ejected onto the hood of the car. Senior Nadia Cedillo-Quintero was in the backseat, severely injured as well.

Senior Alexa Kelly was the staged drunk driver seen in the opposing car with a guilty look on her face.

Behind the crime scene stood the “living dead” individuals who had been taken from class earlier that day.

This segment of the program is supposed to keep teenagers aware of just how real drinking and driving is, and how it can happen to anyone.

Sirens were then heard in the distance and police officers arrived at the scene. They assessed the situation, making their first priority the health and welfare of the vehicle passengers as the fire department arrived.

“There’s a feeling of helplessness,” Police Officer of the Community Relations Unit Nicole Guess says. “While we’re trained in CPR, that’s really all we can do.”

After their arrival, the fire department and rescue workers had the largest role, trying to guide the injured passengers to safety while racing with time.

“It happens very fast and not only do you have to know what you’re doing, but you have to know the sequence of events like the back of your hand because you really don’t have time to think or panic because someone is dying in front of you,” Guess says.

Babitz was pronounced “dead” on the scene, confirmed by Coroner Investigator Felicia Borla. Babitz was placed in a body bag and wheeled into the Palm Mortuary hearse.

Meanwhile, police officers were conducting a DUI interview with Kelly, which consisted of an eye test and a series of balance and coordination tests.

Although the alcohol content limit is .08, since Kelly was underage, any amount of alcohol found in her system qualified for a DUI.

Briefly after the conclusion that Kelly was under the influence, she was handcuffed, searched and read her rights. She was then transported to the city jail.

Fragoso and Cedillo-Quintero were both put on stretchers and taken to the hospital.

Fragoso, who traveled by helicopter, was given immediate attention for her fatal injuries, but was unable to be saved and “died.”

“It was heart wrenching, even though it was mock,” Fragoso’s mother Betty Fragoso says.

It was not easy for Fragoso either, who adds that it was hard to see her mother crying.

Once Cedillo-Quintero arrived at the hospital and her injuries were examined, the doctors announced she would live, but she would remain paralyzed for the rest of her life.

“She survived, but what kind of a survival is that?” says Police Officer and coordinator of the Every 15 Minutes Program Mike Hull.

That same night, the students involved in the accident and the “living dead” participated in a retreat where they stayed overnight in an unknown location, secluded from family and friends. At the retreat they took part in activities and listened to guest speakers.

One “living dead” individual, junior Ashli Walker, felt it was especially hard to imagine letting go of her four-year-old brother Jacob.

“You have the rest of your life. Why end it now because of one stupid decision?” Walker says.

Similarly, the parents of these students went to a retreat where they wrote goodbye letters to their children, telling them what they would never get the chance to say.

The following day, an assembly was held for the junior and senior classes where all students involved were reunited with their families and friends at last.

Also appearing at the assembly was guest speaker Rick Poff, who discussed his son Kyle and the real accident that left his son dead. The entire auditorium was silent and tearful as Poff spoke of the battles he fights day by day.

A shorter assembly was held for the sophomore and freshmen class the following week, with guest speakers consisting of the high school students that had been involved in the program.

All in all, the Every 15 Minutes program proved to be effective, as almost all participants vowed to never drink and drive, and to think twice about all their future choices in life.

“You can make smart decisions and have fun,” Fragoso says.