Jackson Center Residents Join Ohio’s “Saved by the Belt” Club

Jackson Center residents Theodore and Mary Lyle have been inducted into Ohio’s “Saved by the Belt” Club after their seat belts protected them from life threatening injuries during a crash in Auglaize County.

The crash happened March 31st, 2026, on State Route 65.

Ohio State Highway Patrol Lieutenant John Westerfield and Trooper Adam Cramer of the Wapakoneta Post presented Theodore and Mary with “Saved by the Belt” certificates. The certificates were signed by Ohio Department of Public Safety Director Andy Wilson and Colonel Charles A. Jones, Patrol Superintendent.

The couple was also presented with a commemorative “Saved by the Belt” license plate.

Lieutenant Westerfield said Theodore and Mary are living testimony to the effectiveness of safety belts, adding that everyone needs to buckle up every trip, every time.

The “Saved by the Belt” program recognizes people who avoided serious injury or death because they were wearing a safety belt during a crash.

According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, from 2021 to present, Ohio has recorded more than 267,800 crashes involving unbelted individuals. Nearly 2,600 of those crashes were fatal. During that same time, more than 62 percent of all fatal crashes involved an unbelted occupant, even though seat belts were available.