OSHP: Canfield mom receives ‘Saved by the Belt’ award

Canfield’s Ohio Highway Safety Patrol officers are honoring one woman’s story.

Rakieda Cheatham, a mom who lives in Canfield, was honored with the “Saved by the Belt” award this month.

Lieutenant Eric Brown, Canfield post commander, presented her with the award as part of the Ohio Department of Public Safety’s “Saved by the Belt” club.

Seat belts saving lives

On March 24, officers said Cheatham safely fastened her seat belt and ensured her 5-year-old son Carter’s car seat was also fastened before driving through Boardman Township.

Cheatham and her son were driving in her maroon car going eastbound on US Route 224 when another car collided headfirst into hers.

The other driver failed to yield to Cheatham and turned left in front of her car to go south on Hitchcock Road. The driver struck her vehicle, as well as another car that was stopped on Hitchcock Road.

Cheatham and her son were both taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

Brown said had they not been using their seat belts that day, the two “could have suffered serious injuries due to the damage caused to her vehicle.”

Cheatham and her son each received a plaque and a commemorative license plate.

The “Saved by the Belt” club recognizes people who have benefited from their decision to wear safety belts.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(EDITOR’S NOTE: Get the latest Mahoning Valley news in your email inbox weekday mornings. Sign up here for our free daily newsletter.)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Follow Mahoning Matters on Facebook, Twitter