Patrol salutes seat-belt wearers

TOLEDO — On Friday, the Findlay and Bucyrus districts of the Ohio State Highway Patrol — in partnership with the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department, the American Automobile Association and the Toledo Mud Hens — highlighted the life-saving 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, 11 people from across northwest and north-central Ohio were inducted into the Saved by the Belt club after avoiding life-threatening injuries in serious crashes due to the fact that 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," patrol superintendent Col. Charles Jones said. "Honorees were each involved in a serious crash here in northwest and north-central Ohio, and their decision to wear a seat belt protected them from far more serious injuries," Jones said. "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 with a Saved by the Belt certificate signed by the Ohio Department of Public Safety director Andy Wilson and Jones. • 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, the Mud Hens and health department — 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 also took place outside the stadium with speakers from the patrol, health department 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 patrol enforcement vehicles. Special guests in attendance included state Rep. Haraz Ghanbari, R-Perrysburg, and state Sen. Paula Hicks-Hudson, D-Toledo. Mascots Teddy Trooper, Muddy and Muddonna from the Mud Hens and Paws from the Detroit Tigers also made appearances throughout the event. Members of the Saved by the Belt club Here are the 11 people from across northwest and north-central Ohio who were recently inducted into the Saved by the Belt club after avoiding life-threatening injuries in serious crashes due to the fact that they were wearing their safety belts: • Sharon Wuertz, 71, of Curtice; Wuertz was involved in a crash in Jerusalem Township, Lucas County. • Anastasia Bean, 40, of Toledo; Bean was involved in a crash in Portage Township, Wood County. • Paulette Folger, 47, of Toledo; Folger was involved in a crash in Lake Township, Wood County. • Sandra Bruno, 64, of Swanton; Bruno was involved in a crash in Dover Township, Fulton County. • Lauren Moreno, 16, of Ottoville; Moreno was involved in a crash in Washington Township, Paulding County. • Jacob Schalmo, 34, and Corbin Schalmo, 11, both of Greenwich; The Schalmos were involved in a crash in Greenwich Township, Huron County. • Hunter Kamann, 25, of Monroeville; Kamann was involved in a crash in Peru Township, Huron County. • Teddy Thomas Jr., 53, of Marion; Thomas was involved in a crash in Clardion Township, Marion County. • Jude Zerby, 16, of Lexington; Zerby was involved in a crash in Mifflin Township, Richland County. • Zoe Appel, 20, of Edgerton; Appel was involved in a crash in Pulaski Township, Williams County.