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Show 10 Hilltop Times COMMENTS April 27, 1990 Buckle u p or ris k death A lady approached me and related what had northbound happened. She said the vehicle wasvehicle of control the (the when the driver lost reasons for which are not known), and it began a violent roll down into the ditch. The lady said the boy and girl were both thrown from the car, their bodies sent flying at VpVi-- i cnoaH with no safe place to land, As she related the story to me, I thought I "Why?" If they had only worn seat belts. looked if I "at the vehicle they were in and knew they had worn their seat belts they could well have by Sgt. Jeffrey Thoma afternoon several weeks ago I was rZJriday I traveling south on approaching the U West Gate to Hill AFB when up ahead I noticed vehicles swerving and brake lights 3 . everywhere. Just beyond that I could see a cloud of dust settling on the ground. As I weaved my patrol car through the stopped vehicles, I noticed an girl lying on the interstate, her head surrounded by a pool of her own blood. I glanced around to see if there were any other casualties. I saw a boy lying face down in the ditch with a bystander running for blankets. I knew the accident was serious. I used my security police radio and requested two ambulances be sent -- my voice seemed to tremble. I left my patrol car to see if I could help. There were bystanders who surrounded the victims, and I had a couple of people start to direct traffic around the accident site, protecting the girl from further injury. The girl seemed to be unconscious and I ran over to where the boy was. The boy was gasping for air. A man was using his hands to support the boy's head and keep it off the groundwhere ' there was also blood. Just to the right of the boy was a blue Chevrolet Chevette, the vehicle they had been in. It was standing upright. The doors were shut, the hood of the vehicle sustained a dent but the windshield was still intact. 18-year-- 16-year-- survived. Time seemed to stand still, awaiting the arrival of emergency vehicles. I made my way back to where the girl was lying and helped direct traffic when medical assistance finally arrived. The girl regained consciousness and immediately started screaming and yelling as if she was in fear for her life. This seemed to be endless. Then I heard someone say, "The boy is not doing well -- he is going fast." It was like my heart stopped. I discovered they were going to fly the boy to a hospital by Lifeline helicopter. It seemed like his only hope. I anxiously anticipated its arrival, praying silently that it could be of some redemption and save this young boy's life give him a second chance.-- "I've never taken a seat belt off a dead motorist." ' ' The girl was taken away by ambulance, the boy by helicopter. The boy subsequently died, and the girl is in critical condition. just hope that the next time I arrive on the scene of an accident like this, you are not one of "" . the victims. Just one more thing. For all of you who say, I contacted Utah Highway Patrolman Richard Taylor, who investigated the accident. He said the inside of the vehicle was not disturbed, and that if the young boy and girl both had been wearing their seat belts, they could have survived this horrifying accident without serious injury. I guess we've all heard this story again and again. I don't know how many more times it will have to be repeated before we all wear our seat belts. I 3 A'BSAiL-yyjK- - r "I'm a good driver. I don't have to worry about a seat belt," consider the other thousands of drivers in whose hands you place your lives. Wear a seat belt. It's not just the law, it's your life. Editor's note: Sergeant Thoma is the base confinement noncommissioned officer for the 2849th SPS. . V i fetes & IF((?$ METAL CREATIONS 777 West 12th Street Ogden, Utah 84414 Phone I I Paying too much for too - I little? - LZZZZL& I v r Pay Subway a visit. Whether you ! 2 SDGEUATURE LOANS iS 0100-050- 0 want a sub or a salad, you'll get a fresh meal that really fills the bill. Next time it's lunchtime, give yourself a break. A lunch break at Subway. Flexible Payments Collateral Loans Available 3 GET A REGULAR FOOTLOfJG SUD, LARGE SODA AND A DAG OF CHIPS FOR $5.49 Expires 53190 621-011- (Some restrictions may apply Fast SAME DAY FINANCING Friendly Strictly Confidential We have the lowest short form rates One coupon per customer per visit. good in combination with any other offer. Limit: Not MILITARY This Offer Good For All S CIVILIAN PERSONNEL Convenient Loan Company 2933 Washington Blvd. Ogden 393-000- 3 564 No. Main Clearfield 774-868- 9 |