Tragic Accident Claims Life of 7-Year-Old on U.S. 83: Authorities Urge Seatbelt Safety as “Click It or Ticket” Campaign Begins
A devastating crash on U.S. 83 at Market Street has claimed the life of a seven-year-old child who was ejected from a vehicle during a rollover accident on Wednesday, May 21. Local authorities confirmed that the child was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash, intensifying urgent calls for seatbelt use, particularly as the busy summer travel season begins.
According to police and crash investigators, the incident occurred when an SUV lost control, struck a cement wall, and rolled over, ejecting the child from the vehicle. Emergency crews responded swiftly to the scene, but the child’s injuries proved fatal. The name of the child has not been released out of respect for the family’s privacy during this heartbreaking time.
The preliminary investigation indicates that the child was unrestrained, which likely contributed to the severity of the outcome. All other occupants in the vehicle have reportedly survived the crash, though the extent of their injuries has not been disclosed.
“This is a tragedy that could have been prevented,” said a spokesperson from the local police department. “Seatbelts save lives—plain and simple. It only takes a second to buckle up, but that second can mean the difference between life and death.”
The accident has prompted law enforcement agencies across the region to underscore the importance of seatbelt use—particularly for young passengers who rely on adults to ensure their safety.
In response to the fatal crash and other recent incidents involving unrestrained passengers, authorities have announced the launch of a focused “Click It or Ticket” enforcement campaign, which will run for the next two weeks. Officers will be increasing patrols and conducting traffic stops, looking specifically for seatbelt violations.
The campaign, a national initiative led by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), aims to reduce the number of preventable injuries and deaths caused by lack of seatbelt use. Special emphasis will be placed on child passenger safety laws, which require that children under a certain age and size be properly restrained in booster seats or appropriate car seats.
“This heartbreaking loss is a sobering reminder of why we enforce these laws,” said one officer involved in the campaign. “We don’t write tickets to punish—we do it to protect. If this enforcement saves even one life, it will be worth it.”
According to NHTSA data, seatbelts reduce the risk of fatal injury to front-seat passengers by 45%, and the proper use of car seats reduces the risk of death for young children by more than 50%. Despite these statistics, many fatal crashes still involve unrestrained passengers.
As the investigation into the crash on U.S. 83 continues, the community is left mourning the loss of a young life cut tragically short. Local grief counselors have been made available to the family, school, and first responders affected by the incident.
In memory of the child, law enforcement officials are urging all drivers and passengers to take a moment to buckle up, check on children’s restraints, and never underestimate the importance of vehicle safety.
Let this tragedy serve as a powerful call to action: Buckle up—every ride, every time.