THIEF RIVER FALLS, MINN. (KFGO-AM) - Mark Engen is living proof seat belts save lives. The 61-year old Warroad, Minnesota man received a "Saved by the Belt" award Wednesday in a ceremony by the State Patrol.
Engen was on his way to Fargo in March, 2013 when his car was struck head-on by an impaired driver on a highway near Karlstad. Two passengers in the other vehicle were killed. The driver later took his own life. Engen was severly injured, but he said there's no doubt he owes his life to his seatbelt. "After seeing the car, it's surprising I'm here," he said.
Patrol Lt. Brad Norland presented the award to Engen. Norland, who handled the crash, said it was the worst he's seen in his 16 years with the patrol. He said the goal of the Department of Public Safety Campaign, "Toward Zero Deaths" is to get people to buckle up. Norland said seatbelt compliance in northwestern Minnesota is 75%, lagging behind the statewide average of 90%.