The Ohio State Highway Patrol says Jeremy A. Cullen and Jayden A. Cullen, of Defiance, joined Ohio’s “Saved by the Belt” Club after their safety belts saved them from sustaining life-threatening injuries.

The crash happened on Interstate 75 in Allen County on December 29th, 2021.

Ohio State Highway Patrol Lieutenant Alec Coil, Lima Post commander, presented the father and son with “Saved by the Belt” certificates signed by Ohio Department of Public Safety Director Thomas J. Stickrath and Colonel Richard S. Fambro, Patrol superintendent.

“Jeremy and Jayden are a living testimony to the effectiveness of safety belts,” Lieutenant Coil said.

“Everyone needs to buckle up every trip, every time.”

Provisional data from 2021 shows 565 people in Ohio were killed in traffic crashes where a safety belt was available, but not in use.

For up-to-date statistics and information on seat belts, log onto the Patrol’s Seatbelt Dashboard at www.SeatBeltDashboard.ohio.gov.

The “Saved by the Belt” Club is a joint effort by the Ohio Department of Public Safety and more than 400 Ohio law enforcement agencies.

This club is designed to recognize people who have benefited from their decision to wear safety belts.

People also receive a “Saved by the Belt” license plate bracket.