Every 15 Minutes comes to Helix Charter High School on February 11th

Source:  California Highway Patrol

February 11, 2026 (La Mesa) - On February 11, 2026, the California Highway Patrol, in conjunction with Helix Charter High School and La Mesa Police Department will be conducting a simulated drunk driving crash as part of the Every 15 Minutes program. The crash will be staged on Highlander Way and will begin at approximately 10:27 am. The mock crash will take place for approximately one hour; however, Highlander Way will be closed for several hours to allow for scene set-up and breakdown. During the mock crash, there will be a high concentration of emergency vehicles in the area. We would like to ensure that the public is aware this is a mock emergency incident, and that no real emergency exists. Numerous pre-designated students will be pulled from class and at the same time a mock obituary will be read by law enforcement personnel to the class. These students represent the number of people who will be seriously injured or killed at the hands of a drunk driver while they are in school that day.

Every 15 Minutes is a two-day program which demonstrates to high school students the impact drinking and driving has on friends, families, and their community. The first day of the program is highlighted by a simulated traffic crash that will be conducted at the high school involving an impaired teenage driver and fatally injured victim. The event includes emergency responses from police, fire, ambulance, medical helicopter, coroner, and tow truck companies, just as an actual crash would require. The program will conclude with a mock funeral and assembly for students on February 12, 2026.

This event is conducted by the California Highway Patrol, with support from the La Mesa Police Department, Heartland Fire Department, Reach Air Medical Services, San Diego District Attorney’s Office, Sharp Memorial Hospital, Featheringill Mortuary and many other community partners and affiliates.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.