Saved By The Belt

Published by Editor on August 19, 2016.
Published under News
Tags: feature, front

Staff Photo by Jeff Depew

Wednesday, August 10, 2016 was a day of celebration for three youngsters and a father as they were honored by the Tennessee Highway Safety Office THSO (formerly Governor’s Highway Safety Office) at Golden Corral in Morristown, Tennessee, during the THSO scheduled meeting. Several months ago the girls and one of the girl’s father (also the girls coach), Matt McNealy were involved in a motor vehicle accident at the 417 Exit in Dandridge. As a result of the wreck, the occupants were found dangling upside down held in by only their seat belts. Their vehicle had flipped upside down during the wreck. “Seat belts were the only reason they were able to walk away from that wreck” said Dandridge Police, Chris Fair. Officer Fair went on to say, “I’m proud to honor these kids knowing that they will share this with fellow classmates in hopes that it will save another person’s life”. As members of the organization, the Dandridge Police Department submitted the girl’s story just as do other law enforcement offices throughout Tennessee. The compelling submission was selected by THSO.

“The Tennessee Highway Safety Office works with law enforcement officials, judicial personnel and community advocates to coordinate activities and initiatives relating to the human behavioral aspects of highway safety. Its mission is to develop, execute, and evaluate programs to reduce the number of fatalities, injuries and related economic losses resulting from traffic crashes on our roadways. The office works with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to implement programs focusing on occupant protection, impaired driving, speed enforcement, truck and school bus safety, pedestrian and bicycle safety and crash data collection and analysis. Programs administered by this office are 100% federally funded.” – https://www.tn.gov/tdot/section/ghso

Dandridge Police Officer, Chris Fair and Cocke County Officer, THSO Co-coordinator Derrick Woods presented the girls and Mr. McNealy with Certificates Of Award from the THSO, along with officers from Mt. Carmel PD, Hawkins County, Morristown PD, Lincoln Memorial PD, Newport PD, Church Hill PD, New Market PD, Baneberry PD, Hamblen County, Cocke County, Jefferson City PD, New Tazewell PD, Rutledge PD, Bean Station PD, and White Pine PD.