The fog didn’t hide the message behind Bonners Ferry High School's mock DUI event — drinking and driving can kill. 

Held at the football field, the event replicated what could happen as a result of drunken driving. A crash site was created with two wrecked cars, smoke billowing, in the moments after a mock head-on collision. It is the first time a mock DUI event has been held at BFHS in more than eight years.  

The event started at around 8:45 a.m. following several hours of work by dozens of volunteers. Several were students, soaked in fake blood and posing as those involved in the hyper-realistic setting.  

After all the students were brought onto the bleachers, sirens pierced through the air and rescue vehicles rushed towards the scene. A policeman used the PA system to announce that the Idaho State Police was the first onto the scene. Flares were set out next to the crash site, and stretchers were brought to evacuate those involved in the accident. Soon after, a Life Flight medical helicopter began circling overhead, and cones were placed in a square for it to land. An “injured” student was taken up in the helicopter.  

Near the end of the demonstration, a coroner was brought to the scene, and an individual “killed” in the crash was taken away. After the on-field demonstration, the students headed to the school auditorium. On the stage in the dark room was a casket. 

A funeral was held for Lilly Bremer, a student “killed” in the mock event. In an emotional speech by a friend, Lilly’s life was commemorated and celebrated. 

Before the students went about the rest of their day, a former student went on stage to discuss his horrific experiences with drunken driving, and how his life has been affected by it. Lastly, a presentation featuring pictures of fatal instances of drunken driving was shown. 

At 10 a.m. following the event, BFHS principal Lisa Iverson gave the students 30 minutes to reflect on what they had witnessed. 

Jason Trujillo, a Bonners Ferry police officer, helped to coordinate the event, which was in the works for months after seeing Sandpoint High School’s mock DUI event.  

“I give a lot of credit to Sandpoint High School, and their SRO (School Resource Officer) Don Little,” Trujillo said. “Myself and Frankie Johnson (the junior class president) went down there and watched their presentation in May. Their presentation inspired us to put (a similar event) on.” 

Trujillo said he’d like to hold a mock DUI every 18 months or so, long enough that it doesn’t become routine. 

“If we can get one kid to make a better decision, then we’ve done enough,” he said. 

Iverson said she hoped the event gave her students something to think about. 

“What I’m hoping is that my kids are going to make safe legal decisions, but also just keep each other safe, keep each other protected and understand the impact of what (drunk driving) would mean,” she said. 

Groups that were involved in the realistic presentation were Bonners Ferry Police Department, Boundary County Sheriff’s Office, Idaho State Police, Bonners Ferry Fire Department, South Boundary Fire District, Paradise Valley Fire District, North Bench Fire Association, Boundary Ambulance, Life Flight Network, Bonners Ferry Funeral Home and Panhandle Towing.