OCPD Credit Seat Belt Use During in Overturned Car Survival

On July 9, 2013, at approximately 3:15 p.m. Ocean City Police and Fire Department personnel responded to North Division Street and Philadelphia Avenue, in reference to a vehicle crash involving an overturned car.  The investigation revealed that both vehicles were travelling southbound on Philadelphia Avenue when a vehicle in lane two attempted to make an illegal left turn from lane two, striking the victims vehicle.  The victims vehicle, which was travelling in lane one, overturned and come to rest on its roof.

The overturned car had four persons inside, all of which were wearing their seatbelts, and required a rescue operation by the OC Fire Department.  The driver was flown by the Maryland State Police helicopter to the University Of Maryland Medical Center’s “Shock Trauma” unit in Baltimore and at the time of this release is in stable condition. The three other occupants of the overturned car sustained non-life threatening injuries and were transported to Peninsula Regional Medical Center for treatment and were released later that evening. 

The OCPD reminds citizens that SEAT BELTS SAVE LIVES.   “According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, seat belts are the single most effective traffic safety device for preventing death and injury,” said Police Chief Ross Buzzuro.  “Seat belts save lives and yesterday’s crash is an example of how important it is to simply buckle up.”

The driver of the at-fault vehicle has been identified as Raymond J. Gallo of North Hampton, PA. Gallo sustained minor injuries and was treated by EMS at the scene.  Gallo was charged with failing to yield right of way and making a left turn from improper lane position.    

 

The crash resulted in a traffic pattern change, as the outbound lanes of the Rt. 50 Bridge were blocked and inbound Ocean City Rt. 50 traffic had to be diverted away from the crash scene, for approximately one hour.  In addition to Ocean City Police, the Worcester County Sherriff’s Office and the Maryland State Police assisted with the incident.  For more information about seat belt safety visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Office web page at: http://www.nhtsa.gov/NCSA.