Texas
Texas tornado survivor joins TXDOT seatbelt campaign
AUSTIN (KTAl/KSHV) – The Texas Division of Transportation has enlisted the assistance of a teen whose truck was caught in a twister in March to display the significance of security belts.
TxDOT’s “Click on it or Ticket” marketing campaign will characteristic Riley Leon, the 16-year-old who gained some viral fame when his pickup truck was tossed round by a twister in March as he was driving residence from a job interview.
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Riley Leon, 16, stands in entrance of his Manor, Texas residence a number of days after being hit by a twister in his pink truck (KXAN picture/Mariano Garza) -
Pink pickup truck after flipping over in Elgin twister on March 21, 2022 (KXAN Photograph/Brianna Hollis) -
Texas teen Riley Leon, 16, speaks TXDOT’s 2022 ‘Click on it or Ticket’ seatbelt consciousness and enforcement marketing campaign launch in Austin on Could 16, 2021. (Source: Texas Division of Transportation) -
Darcey Goodloe was a Waco highschool scholar on Feb. 13, 2010 when her truck was rear-ended by an 18-wheeler. The influence despatched her truck throughout a number of lanes on icy I-35 and right into a median, the place it landed vertically, face down. She was sporting her seat belt and survived with just some scratches. (Source: Texas Division of Transportation) -
Within the years since her crash, Darcey Goodloe has graduated from Texas Tech, grow to be a kindergarten trainer, gotten married, and is now anticipating her first baby (a boy!)—none of which can have occurred had she not chosen to buckle up that morning. (Source: Texas Division of Transportation)
Video captured by a witness went viral, fueled additional by the truth that Leon survived with just some cuts on his arms and a minor fracture in his again. Leon believes he lived to inform the story as a result of he was sporting a seatbelt.
“It was a few days after that I spotted. Grateful to God I wore my seatbelt that day. As a result of if not, the accident might have been extra tragic. I in all probability wouldn’t be right here at this second with out my seatbelt, however grateful I wore it, and I’m right here telling this story that lots of people in all probability wouldn’t consider if I used to be not right here.
In response to TXDOT, there have been 3,507 crashes in 2021 during which unbuckled folks sustained critical accidents – a 14% improve from the earlier yr. Sporting a seat belt within the entrance seat of a passenger automotive decreased the danger of fatality by 45%. Seatbelt fatalities dropped by 60% for these in pickup vehicles concerned in crashes.
“At all times buckle up, whether or not you’re going a brief or lengthy distance. Doesn’t matter if you happen to’re the passenger or the motive force, buckle up,” Leon stated.
The ‘Click on It Or Ticket’ marketing campaign additionally encompasses a Waco lady who was a highschool scholar in February 2010 when an 18-wheeler rear-ended her truck. The influence despatched her truck throughout a number of lanes on an icy I-35 and right into a median, the place it landed vertically, face down. She was sporting her seat belt and survived with just some scratches.
Within the years since her crash, Darcey Goodloe has graduated from Texas Tech, grow to be a kindergarten trainer, gotten married, and is now anticipating her first baby (a boy!)—none of which can have occurred had she not chosen to buckle up that morning.