North Dakota – The North Dakota Highway Patrol recognized Jeffrey Gross on February 24, 2026, with the Saved by the Belt Award for a decision that saved his life nearly a year earlier. On April 14, 2025, Gross was driving westbound on I-94 in Stutsman County when a wrong-way driver with a blood alcohol content of .401 entered the westbound lanes and struck his SUV head-on.

Gross survived the violent crash because he was wearing his seat belt, which kept him properly positioned, prevented ejection, and allowed firefighters to safely extricate him. The other driver did not survive the crash.

Trooper Allen presented the award to Gross, emphasizing the importance of seat belts. While a seat belt cannot prevent a crash, it dramatically increases the chances of survival and recovery, both physically and emotionally.

The Highway Patrol urges all drivers to buckle up on every trip, every time.