Unbelted Driver Ejected from Vehicle After Rollover in Richfield

An adult male was taken to a hospital for life-threatening injuries after his car rolled over in Richfield Sunday. A Chrysler Concorde was traveling southbound on Highway 77 at high speeds when it swerved onto the exit ramp, lost control, and rolled into the west ditch, according to the Minnesota State Patrol.

The crash took place off of the Highway 77 ramp at Diagonal Boulevard. The driver was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash and was ejected from the vehicle and sustained life-threatening injuries, authorities say.

The driver was identified as Francisco Ramirez, 41 , of Minneapolis.

The crash took place while Minnesota law enforcement is holding a Click It or Ticket campaign from Oct. 14 – Oct. 30. The extra enforcement of seatbelt laws is coordinated by the Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety, according to a news release.

“Whether it’s unbuckling to reach down for something or not buckling because you are just a few blocks away from your destination, it only takes one time for tragedy to strike,” said Donna Berger, Office of Traffic Safety director, in a statement.

“You significantly increase your chances of surviving a crash if you buckle up every time you get in the vehicle.”

Not Buckling Up is a Dangerous Decision
Good people make bad choices on the road every day and not wearing a seat belt can prove tragic.

• In 2015, 91 unbelted motorists lost their lives on Minnesota roads.
• In a five year period (2011 – 2015), 38 percent of the 1,379 people killed while riding in motor vehicles were not wearing seat belts.
• In 2015, 77 percent of vehicle occupants who were ejected or partially ejected and died were not wearing a seat belt.
• In Minnesota in 2015, seat belts saved an estimated 227 people ages 5 and older. (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Most Minnesotans buckle up. The 2016 Minnesota Observational Seat Belt Survey results show:

• A 93 percent compliance for front seat occupants.
• Males continue to buckle up at a lower rate (90 percent) compared with females (96.5 percent).
• Pickup drivers have the lowest seat belt use.
• Pickup truck 83.6 percent
• Passenger vehicle: 95.2 percent
• Van/Minivan: 92.8 percent
• SUV: 95.2 percent

Statewide seat belt use by percent

• 2016: 93.2
• 2015: 94
• 2014: 94.7
• 2013: 94.8
• 2012: 93.6
• 2011: 92.7
• 2010: 92.3
• 2009: 90.2

Minnesota Seat Belt Law

Minnesota law requires all motorists to buckle up or be seated in the correct child restraint. Officers will stop and ticket unbelted drivers or passengers. Seat belts must be worn correctly — low and snug across the hips or thighs, and shoulder straps should never be tucked under an arm or behind the back.
“Our hope is that one day we no longer find a motorist who chooses to not wear their seat belt,” said Lt. Heath Dienger, Minnesota State Patrol. “Until that day comes, we will continue to aggressively stop those who are not belted to encourage them to comply with the law for their safety.”
Minnesota Child Car Seat Law and Steps

• In Minnesota, all children must be in a child restraint until they are 4’9” tall, or at least age 8, whichever comes first.
• Rear-facing child seats - Newborns to at least 1 year and 20 pounds; recommended up to age 2. It is safest to keep a child rear-facing as long as possible.
• Forward-facing seats - Age 2 until around age 4. It's preferable to keep children in a harnessed restraint until they reach the maximum weight limit.
• Booster seats - Use after outgrowing a forward-facing harnessed restraint; safest to remain in a booster until 4 feet 9 inches tall, or at least age 8, whichever comes first.
• Seat belts - Use when children can sit with their back against the vehicle seat and have their knees bent comfortably over the edge with their feet touching the floor.

Image via City of Richfield