‘Seat Belts Save Lives’: Bear Lake Sheriff issues warning after two injured in rollover crash

BEAR LAKE, Idaho (KIFI) — A rollover crash that injured two people on Thursday afternoon has prompted an urgent seat belt safety reminder from the Bear Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

The crash happened just before 4 p.m. on May 14th, on North Beach Rd. near the fish ladder. According to the Sheriff's Office, the initial investigation indicates the vehicle left the roadway and rolled once before coming to rest.

Both the driver and a single passenger were injured in the crash, and one was even ejected from the car during the rollover. While both individuals were evaluated at the scene by the Bear Lake County Ambulance Service, the exact extent of their injuries has not yet been released.

Now, the sheriff's office is reminding drivers that seat belts and child restraints save lives. In an official Facebook post, the office urged every driver to make sure all passengers are buckled up.

"During rollover crashes, properly restrained occupants are significantly less likely to suffer serious injury or be ejected from a vehicle," states the Sheriff's Office. "Even short trips close to home can become life-threatening in a matter of seconds. Taking the time to properly secure every passenger can prevent tragic outcomes."

To help local families stay safe, the Bear Lake County Sheriff’s Office also noted that they offer complimentary child passenger safety checks and educational resources to ensure car seats are installed correctly. For more information, click HERE.