The irony hit home for California Highway Patrol Officer Heather Blancarte when four area youths got into a car accident at the same time she was conducting a course on safe teen driving.

“We were at the Grass Valley Police Department doing a Start Smart teen driving class when the accident occurred,” Blancarte said. What she was warning teens and their parents about was being played out on McCourtney Road as she spoke.

At 6:40 p.m., Seth Rinker, 18, of Auburn, was eastbound between the Nevada County Fairgrounds and the county transfer station when the accident occurred, according to a CHP report. Rinker allegedly made an unsafe turning movement, causing his 2002 Nissan to jump a curb and plunge into a ditch.

The Auburn teen was jailed on suspicion of felony drunken driving, and remained in the Wayne Brown Correctional Facility Friday on a $25,000 bail.

The right front passenger, Victor Zatarian, 16, of Auburn, suffered a broken leg and facial lacerations and was flown by air ambulance to Sutter Roseville Memorial Hospital. He was in fair condition Friday.

Rinker and passenger Daniel Thorne, 16, of Grass Valley, were both treated for minor injuries at Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital.

Passenger Mitch Perisich, 15, of Auburn, was not injured. All four occupants were wearing seat belts, according to the CHP report.

While the accident scene was unfolding, Blancarte was explaining unsafe driving practices to local teenagers. Peer pressure and driving while intoxicated or on drugs were high on Blancarte's list.

“I wish the driver (involved in the accident) had been at the class,” Blancarte said Friday.

Parents and teens who want to take the Start Smart driving class are encouraged to contact Blancarte at 273-4415.

To contact Senior Staff Writer Dave Moller, e-mail dmoller@theunion.com or call 477-4237.