They knew it was a drill, only a drill, but the impact was powerful and Inderkum High school students sat in eery silence as Tigers’ football star Nu’umotu Falo Jr. lie face down and lifeless on the hood of a car Thursday, a tragic victim of drunken driving.
Juniors and seniors sat in metal bleachers watching the aftermath of a simulated two-car collision that ended Falo’s life instantly and left two other students severely injured – one was airlifted from the scene – because of a young woman’s decision to drive drunk.
“It only takes a split second to make a bad decision,” co-Principal Dan Motherspaw reminded students after the safety drill ended with his reading of an obituary for Falo, known as "NJ," a popular, fun-loving Tiger with a “strong sense of caring and respect.”
Falo’s obituary said he died while riding home from a party with a female friend, who lost control of her vehicle and T-boned into another car.
“Nu’umotu was 18 years old, preparing to graduate from Inderkum High, and on his way to Colorado University on a football scholarship,” read the obituary, which was accurate in its personal facts about the school’s star linebacker.
“He was the team captain and leader of the Inderkum Tigers varsity football team. He is remembered by family and friends all over the Natomas community for his outstanding perseverance and leadership in school.
“Nu’umotu is survived by his mother Meaatoa, and brothers Nate, Josh, and sister Jamie.”
Thursday’s drill began with a frantic 911 call from the drunk driver while Falo lay prone on the hood of her vehicle and two people were trapped inside the car she struck. Police and paramedics responded, then firefighters, an ambulance and a medical helicopter.
“Somebody help! Somebody help me!” the driver screamed while awaiting the arrival of emergency personnel.
Firefighter paramedics rushed to care for injured victims, who were then rushed away in an ambulance and the medical helicopter. One teenager was in critical condition, the other was unable to use or move his legs.
The simulation continued with a field sobriety test of the drunk driver, who was handcuffed and arrested on charges of felony drunken driving and vehicular manslaughter. “I had a little bit,” she told officers when asked what booze she had consumed. “I don’t usually drink.”
The final scene of the dramatization was Falo’s lifeless body being lifted onto a stretcher and wheeled to a coroner’s vehicle for transport to the morgue.
Before returning students to class, Motherspaw asked the juniors and seniors to serve as role models and to talk to each other about the danger in drinking and driving. Counselors and trained grief personnel were at Inderkum today for students who desired assistance.
Tomorrow, students will hold a follow-up rally at Inderkum.
“Every 15 Minutes” is funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
