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For Immediate Release
Contact:
Nancy Leuenhagen
775.333.3789
Jessica Garcia
775.348.0364 |
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Staged
Crash Helps Teens Make Good Driving Decisions
Reno, NV (April 5, 2011)- With prom season in full bloom and graduation drawing close, the eyes of Damonte Ranch High School's juniors and seniors were opened to the devastating impact of drunken driving today on their own campus.
This morning, students witnessed a staged car crash with student actors who played out a tragic accident scene involving drunk driving as part of the community-wide effort known as Every 15 Minutes. Teens watched as first responders from the local police and fire departments, hospitals, school staff and other community members extracted four student actors from a crashed F-150 and Dodge Dakota on the corner of McCauley Ranch and Rio Wrangler Parkway.
Every 15 Minutes is a two-day program that challenges high school juniors and seniors to think about the choices they make involving drinking and driving, offering a glimpse at real-life experiences without the actual dangers they pose. Damonte Ranch students actively participated in the planning process with the help of school administrators, including Principal Denise Hausauer and Assistant Principal Ron Seckler.
The collaborative effort involved the Washoe County School District, Washoe County, the city of Reno, local fire and police departments, the coroner's office, the National Judicial College, the Northern Nevada DUI Task Force, the DJ Benardis Foundation and Renown Regional Medical Center.
"It's so vital that we remind our students the importance of making smart decisions as they get behind the wheel every day," said Damonte Ranch Principal Denise Hausauer. "Every 15 Minutes reinforces the message that students do have choices when it comes to drinking and driving. This exercise, we believe, will help convey the message that they take personal responsibility for every choice they make and that they should take every precaution they can to prevent from engaging in impaired driving."
Throughout the day, the message continued to resonate with students as those who were
designated as "the living dead" were plucked from their classes every 15 minutes to remind students about the national statistic that someone dies every 15 minutes as a result of drunk driving.
Later in the day on Tuesday, the "living dead" and student actors were transported to the National Judicial College for a student and parent retreat. Students heard from victims and family members impacted by the injury or death of someone involved in an alcohol-related accident. They also held a mock hearing for the student charged in the death of their peer who died on scene earlier on Tuesday. The youth and their parents also participated in a letter-writing exercise in which they communicated private emotions about their experiences with Every 15 Minutes.
"We're coming into a season when some students might be facing the temptation to drink and drive and that could put others and themselves at risk," Seckler said. "In the Washoe County School District, we make it our top priority to educate our students and keep them safe."
The program continues into April 6 with a mock funeral service for the student actor who died from their injuries in the crash. Students will hear a eulogy from local pastor Joe Taylor of South Reno Baptist Church, watch a video and listen from parents and students who wrote letters to each other during the retreat.
Photo opportunities are available for media attending the events on April 5 and 6.
Every 15 Minutes staged car crash
Damonte Ranch High School, 10500 Rio Wrangler Parkway, Reno
Tuesday, April 5 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Wednesday, April 6 from 8 to 9:30 a.m.
Media staging area: The staging area for media will
be at the corner of McCauley Ranch Parkway and Rio Wrangler Parkway near Damonte Ranch.
Media photo opportunities on Tuesday,
April 5:
8:40 a.m. Crash scene at Damonte Ranch High School, 8 a.m.
9:05-9:15 a.m. CareFlight arrives on scene and transports injured students to Renown
9:20 a.m. Injured students treated at Renown
9:20 a.m. Coroner on scene, places victim in body bag and transports to mortuary
9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. "Living Dead" students taken from classes every 15 minutes
2:15 p.m. "Living Dead"
students taken to Washoe County Jail for student retreat to tour
housing and have question-and-answer time with inmate
4 p.m. Student retreat,
National Judicial College (NJC)
4:40 p.m. Mock sentencing
trial with Judge Janet Berry, NJC Courtroom
7:30 p.m. DJ Benardis'
Story: "Shattered Dreams" presentation, NJC, Room 103
Media opportunities for media on Wednesday,
April 6:
8 - 9:30 a.m. Celebration of Life Ceremony, Damonte Ranch High School, small gym
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About Washoe County School District: The
Washoe County School District includes the Reno/Sparks metropolitan
area, Incline Village, Gerlach, Empire and Wadsworth, Nevada. The
District provides each of its 63,000 students with a superior education
in a safe and challenging environment and is committed to graduate every
child career and college ready.
Washoe County School District
425 East Ninth Street
Reno, NV 89520
