St. James School Students Honored Following Car Crash

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL - Most Americans understand that seat belts can save lives. In fact, the national use rate was at 89.6 percent in 2018, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Seat belt use in passenger vehicles saved an estimated 14,955 lives in 2017, the agency reported.

Two St. James School students certainly understand the importance of wearing a seat belt. On June 22, 2018, Gordon Braun and Samantha Braun were involved in a rollover vehicle crash. Their mother's car was struck, however, everyone inside was able to walk away unharmed.

The siblings were both wearing their seat belts when the accident took place, police said.

To show their appreciation to the two siblings for wearing their seat belts, the Arlington Heights Police Department honored them with a "Saved By The Belt"award recently.

Seat belt use is one of the most effective ways to save lives and reduce injuries in crashes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.