Osgood man joins “Saved by the Belt” Club

WAPAKONETA — An Osgood man has become a member of Ohio’s “Saved by the Belt” Club after wearing his safety belt saved him from sustaining life-threatening injuries.

Gage Homan was in a two-vehicle injury crash on State Route 716, at the intersection of Huwer Road in Mercer County today, according to Ohio State Highway Patrol in Wapakoneta.

Homan was struck by a commercial tractor trailer that pulled into the intersection.

>> DeWine visits Greenville COVID-19 vaccination site

Following the accident, OSHP Lieutenant John D. Westerfield presented Homan with a “Saved by the Belt” certificate and license plate bracket. The certificate was signed by Ohio Department of Safety Director Thomas J. Strickrath, as well as Patrol superintendent, Colonel Richard S. Pambro.

“Mr. Homan is a living testimony to the effectiveness of safety belts. Everyone needs to buckle up every trip, every time,” Westerfield said in a press release.

The Ohio Department of Public Safety and more than 400 Ohio law enforcement agencies joined forces to create the “Saved by the Belt” Club, which recognizes those who have benefited from wearing their safety belts.

In 2020, 487 people in Ohio were killed in vehicle accidents where a safety belt was available, but not used.

Cox Media Group