Speedway crowd serves as backdrop for Saved by the Belt presentations

By Carol McIntire

Editor

A Carroll County woman was one of two persons who recently received Saved by the Belt license plates and certificates from the New Philadelphia Post of the Ohio StateHighway Patrol in front of racing fans at Midvale Speedway.

Oliviaa Hull, 19, of Carroll County was involved in a vehicle crash Aug. 12 on SR 171 with rather unique circumstances, according to Lt. Johnnie H. Maier of the New Philadelphia Post.

“Oliviaa was driving a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt southbound on SR 171 when a bee flew between her glasses and her eyes,” Maier explained. “She tried to get it out and as she did her vehicle went left of center. A Mac truck was driving northbound and the two vehicles struck on the driver’s sides.”

Maier said both vehicles sustained heavy damage and Hull was extracted from the vehicle and transported to an area hospital. 

“Thankfully, she was not seriously injured,” he said, “and we can credit that to the fact that she was wearing a safety belt. She was at fault in the accident because she was left of center, but because of the bee, it was not her fault. She knows wearing the safety belt was instrumental in saving her life. She did what she was supposed to do and the belt did what it was supposed to do.”

Linda Burgess of Tuscarawas County was also recognized with a Saved by the Belt license plate and certificate. She was involved in a crash Jan. 14 in Tuscarawas County. Reese Kashuba, who was involved in a motorcycle crash Sept. 8 in Tuscarawas County, was presented a Saved by the Helmet certificate.

Maier said the decision was made to present the certificates at Midvale Speedway in front of a large crowd. 

“The ceremony is a means to share the message of how important it is to wear safety belts and helmets, and we felt it would tie in well with the speedway crowd,” Maier said.