Hutchinson Road to Be Closed Tuesday for Staged Traffic Accident Involving Northgate Students

The 800 block of Hutchison Road, on the west side of , will be closed to through traffic Tuesday, as Walnut Creek police, the California Highway Patrol and other emergency workers respond to a drunken-driving traffic collision that is likely to leave several teens injured and possibly dead.

Yes, the crash will be staged. The teens involved will all be acting as if they are really going through this trauma. One or more may "die," and their friends and family also will go through the motions of what it would be like to be notified.  

The staged crash is part of the Every 15 Minutes program, a two-day event for high-school juniors and seniors that comes to local high schools every few years. The nationwide event challenges students to think about drinking, driving, personal safety, making mature decisions, and the impact their decisions have on family, friends and many others.

Hutchinson Road will be closed to through traffic from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and “No Parking” signs will be posted in areas surrounding the collision area. A CalStar helicopter, several fire engines, police vehicles and ambulances will help with the simulated DUI collision. 

The program brings together a broad coalition of local agencies with the goal of reducing alcohol-related incidents among youth. Organizations participating in the event include local hospitals, businesses and service clubs.

If you are interested in learning more about the Every 15 Minutes program, Northgate High School will host a community meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday in the lecture hall. The school will present a video about the event, and participants will be on hand to answer questions about the program. 

For more information, call Walnut Creek Police Crime Prevention Coordinator Amy Doyle at 925-943-5885.