On September 12, the Findlay and Bucyrus districts of the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP), in partnership with the Toledo Lucas County Health Department (TLCHD), American Automobile Association (AAA) and Toledo Mud Hens, highlighted the lifesaving impact of safety belts during the 2025 Buckle Up, Batter Up Saved by the Belt event at Fifth Third Field in Toledo.
During the event, 10 people from across northwest and northcentral Ohio were inducted into the “Saved by the Belt” club after avoiding life threatening injuries in serious crashes due to the fact they were wearing their safety belts.
“The ‘Saved by the Belt’ program is one of the most meaningful ways we show the lifesaving impact of buckling up,” said Colonel Charles Jones, Patrol superintendent. “Tonight’s honorees were each involved in a serious crash here in northwest and northcentral Ohio, and their decision to wear a seat belt protected them from far more serious injuries. Their stories remind us why this program matters and why making this simple choice is so important every time we’re on the road.”
During the pregame ceremony, before the Toledo Mud Hens took on the Louisville Bats, each inductee was presented a “Saved by the Belt” certificate signed by Ohio Department of Public Safety Director Andy Wilson and Colonel Charles Jones, Patrol superintendent. In addition to the certificate, they also received a “Saved by the Belt” commemorative license plate.
A public safety announcement on traffic safety, featuring the Patrol, AAA, Toledo Mud Hens and TLCHD, was played on the jumbotron. Troopers presented the colors and Trooper Jessica McIntyre sang the National Anthem. “Saved by the Belt” award recipient Teddy Thomas Jr. threw out a ceremonial first pitch.
A press conference was also held outside the stadium with speakers from the OSHP, TLCHD and AAA, all stressing the importance of safety belt usage. The Cleveland Police Historical Society and Museum, in partnership with the Ohio State Highway Patrol Retirees’ Association, displayed vintage cruisers outside the stadium, along with Ohio State Highway Patrol enforcement vehicles.
Special guests in attendance included State Representative Haraz Ghanbari and State Senator Paula Hicks-Hudson. Teddy Trooper, Muddy and Muddonna from the Mud Hens and PAWS from the Detroit Tigers also made appearances throughout the event.
According to 2024 Patrol statistics, 482 people in Ohio were killed in crashes where a safety belt was available but not used. Of those fatalities, 83 occurred on northwest and northcentral Ohio roadways.
For more information and statistics on safety belt usage and traffic safety, visit the Ohio Statistics and Analytics for Traffic Safety (OSTATS) Dashboards.
The “Saved by the Belt” Club is a joint effort by the Ohio Department of Public Safety and Patrol.
“Saved by the Belt” Recipients
•Sharon Wuertz, 71, Curtice— April 2 at Seaman Road at Decant Road. Jerusalem Township, Lucas County
•Anastasia Bean, 40, Toledo—April 15 at Interstate 75 near milepost 175, Portage Township, Wood County
•Paulette Folger, 47, Toledo—January 14 at Interstate 280 near milepost 5, Lake Township, Wood County
•Sandra Bruno, 64, Swanton— July 6 at Ohio Turnpike near milepost 35, Dover Township, Fulton County
•Lauren Moreno, 16, Ottoville— May 25 at State Route 66 near milepost 6, Washington Township, Paulding County
•Jacob Schalmo, 34, Greenwich—April 9 at County Road 14 at County Road 72, Greenwich Township, Huron County
•Corbin Schalmo, 11, Greenwich—April 9 at County Road 14 at County Road 72, Greenwich Township, Huron County
•Hunter Kamann, 25, Monroeville—July 3 Township Road 89 at County Road 65, Peru Township, Huron County
•Teddy Thomas Jr., 53, Marion—March 7 at State Route 309 near milepost 24, Claridon Township, Marion County
•Jude Zerby, 16, Lexington— July 2 at State Route 430 at Laver Road, Mifflin Township, Richland County.
