Every 15 minutes, someone will die or get seriously injured in a drunk driving accident.

“That’s one student every 15 minutes within your school day,” said CHP Officer Ruben Jones of the Valley Division.

He narrated Thursday’s “Every 15 Minutes” program at Daniel Teicheira Stadium at Sierra High that included students from Manteca High, East Union High, Calla High, and SHS.

Jones helps conduct these re-enactments about 10 to 12 times each year with the hope of saving lives.

“We’re telling the story of thousands who lost their lives (to drunk driving accidents). Unfortunately, they’re not around to tell their story,” said Jones of the two-day exercise that also involved the Manteca Police Department, Manteca Fire Department, and local ambulance.

Every 15 Minutes is a program designed to create awareness among students that they’re not invincible.

“It’s up close and personal. We have students in two cars involved in a possible drunk driving accident,” Jones said early on.

He added that one of two people will be affected by a DUI incident in their lifetime.

The students involved in Every 15 Minutes were well-known on their respective MUSD campuses. Collins Schluer, who is a senior at SHS, was among seriously injured in this re-enactment. He was actually airlifted via Reach Air Medical Services to San Joaquin General.

All this took place in what Jones called the “golden hour.”

This is the crucial first hour following a traumatic injury during which medical intervention can significantly improve survival rates and reduce long-term complications.

Every 15 Minutes at the SHS stadium staged two fatalities – identified as Aubrey from EU and Noah from Calla – and two who were seriously injured including Schluer.

They were part of the three phases of an investigation.

Jones said the first phase of the investigation involved the crash, specifically, the two vehicles and how it happened.

The second phase of the investigation determined whether a crime was committed while the third phase involved the two deaths, in this case.

The driver, Xavier, was administered the field sobriety test by Manteca police Officer Mike Kelly.

The East Union student was found to have a blood alcohol content of .18 percent, which, Jones said, is twice level of .08 percent – it’s illegal for those under 21 to have alcohol of any kind.

Xavier, if this were real, would face one count of felony DUI, and two – possibly four – counts of vehicular manslaughter.

Another part of Every 15 Minutes was the presence of the symbolic Living Dead students from the four local high schools along with several dressed as the Grim Reaper – the mythical character personifying death while carrying a scythe. 

The first day of Every 15 Minutes concluded with a sound of a cellphone ringtone from the wreckage.

“It’s Noah’s mom – he’s not around to answer his phone today,” Jones said.

Every 15 Minutes concludes today at CWC Life with the funeral and guest speakers.