A mock collision took place this (Thursday) afternoon on the grounds of the Atlantic High School. The exercise was conducted as part of the “Every 15 Minutes” program, which takes place today and tomorrow. The national recognized program serves to educate, demonstrate and personalize the consequences of driving distracted and/or under the influence of alcohol or drugs. It’s the third time the program is being presented to Atlantic High School Juniors and Seniors, with the last time being in 2017.

According to statistics, every 15 minutes, someone in the U-S dies as the result of an alcohol-related collision. This year, nearly 12,000 alcohol and distraction-related deaths are likely to take place. Those dangerous driving habits often begin in the teen years, according to officials. Today’s (Thursday’s) program began with “The living dead,” and students being removed from the classrooms every 15 minutes. They were given a t-shirt, their faces painted white, and cell phones collected. The students were then returned to the classroom with instructions not to talk or otherwise communicate with other students.

At around 2:30-p.m., all Juniors and Seniors proceeded to the designated site of a mock collision on the school grounds, to observe the scene and the role of EMS personnel, fire and law enforcement. A medical helicopter, the County Coroner and local funeral home personnel were also involved. In the scenario, an alcohol-impaired teen driver portrayed by 17-year old Corri Pelzer, was driving a vehicle that crossed the center line and struck another vehicle, driven by another teen.

In a simulated ejection, 16-year old Bailey Riesgaard was pronounced “dead” at the scene. Life flight transported Nathan Behrends, the driver of the second vehicle, to CCMH, where he too, “died” from his simulated injuries. Sarah Schorle and Cyle Renaud had additional roles as injured passengers in the Pelzer vehicle, and were transported to the hospital for simulated treatment.

Failing the field sobriety test, Pelzer was “arrested,” and transported to the Cass County Courthouse, where she was processed to await her “Sentence.” At around 4-p.m., the “victims” and remainder of the “living dead,” were transported to the Cass County Courthouse to observe a mock trial and sentencing of the DUI offender. During the “trial,” the “victims’” families gave statements and attorneys represented their “clients” in front of Judge Michael Hooper. Pelzer was sentenced to two, 25-year terms in prison, to be served concurrently, for two counts of Motor Vehicle Homicide.

At around 5-p.m., the “Living Dead” were returned to the High School for an overnight retreat, with the parent retreat at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church from 7-until 9-p.m. Highlighting the students’ retreat is the personal testimonies of an Audubon woman whose son died after an evening of celebrating a friends’ wedding, and the video of a man who is serving a 50-year sentence at the Clarinda Correctional Facility for causing the deaths of four motorcyclists in August, 2010.

On Friday, there will be a Memorial Service/School Assembly, beginning at 8:30-a.m. Refreshments for students, parents and guests will follow, along with a question and comment period.