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Thousands of Manitoba teenagers affected by Friends for Life speaker series

The diver of this car was impaired, but survived the crash. An MPI speaker series warns teens impaired driving often kills. RCMP / handout

John Westhaver was one month away from graduation when he and his three friends got into an horrific car crash in New Brunswick.

Their driver was sober, but Westhaver and his friends were drinking.

The car was speeding and lost control. All three of Westhaver’s friends, including the driver, were killed. While he survived, he was left with burns to 75 per cent of his body, permanent disfigurement, and a life forever changed.

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Beginning on Monday, thousands of Manitoba high school students get the chance to listen to first-person stories, including Westhaver’s, on how making a bad decision can lead to life-changing injuries as the result of an automobile collision.

RELATED: Manitoba eyes new tools to fight drug-impaired driving: minister

Statistics show that teens aged 16 to 19 are nearly four times more likely to be involved in a collision compared to those aged 25 and older.

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The series, sponsored by Manitoba Public Insurance, will visit nearly 40 schools and share the stories of three speakers who all have unique experiences, with the goal of preventing high-risk behavior in Manitoba’s youngest drivers.

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