Filming for the “Every 15 Minutes” program, taking place at La Mirada High School, recently concluded at various locations within the City. The film will be shown as part of a

Sheriff’s Deputies arrive at the scene of a simulated drunk driving traffic collision during filming for the “Every 15 Minutes” program at La Mirada High School.  Several La Mirada High School students volunteered to play the roles of teens involved in a fatal car collision as part of the program.

two-day program that shows students the devastating impacts of drinking and driving on their friends, families and community.

Often times, the emotional look at suffering victims draws overwhelming grief from friends and family throughout the realistic Every 15 Minutes program, which involves fire fighters extracting bodies from the scene of the accident and a Sheriff's Deputy arresting the drunk driver at their home.

The accident scene was filmed recently during the late afternoon in front of La Mirada High School.

La Mirada Sheriff Lieutenant Pat Valdez was standing by watching the filming and is a big fan, “It is a good program that gets the kids thinking about the consequences of drunk driving, and our department is proud to be a part of it.”

However, Valdez said a discussion just start about future crash scenes being filmed in a more secluded area of the city. He was referring to the traffic congestion in the Regional Park parking lot from people trying to get a peek on what was going on.

A special effects coordinator was employed to provide realism to the crash scene and apply fake wounds to the victims.

The event is a partnership between the La Mirada Public Safety Team and La Mirada High School, funded with a grant from the California Highway Patrol and California Office of Traffic Safety.

Los Angeles County Deputy Sheriff Mark Claahsen prepares for a scene during the filming of “Every of 15 Minutes.”

Other contributors to the program include the Los Angeles County Fire Department and the Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District.

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