Darwin Awards

**BEK** · 01-22-06, 02:51 AM

(5 January 2005, Nebraska) In September of his senior year at the University of Nebraska, 21-year-old Derek wrote an impassioned declaration of independence from seatbelts for his college newspaper. Although these "intrusive and ridiculous" laws saved 6100 lives a year, according to statistics from the U.S. Congress, Derek concluded with the statement, "If I want to be the jerk that flirts with death, I should be able to do that."

Derek's father said he "was a bright young boy, a 4.0," majoring in five subjects and planning to attend law school. He was also smart enough to tutor his friends in subjects he didn't even take. But good grades don't equate with common sense.

Derek was returning from a holiday in San Antonio, Texas. The driver of the Ford Explorer and his front seat passenger both wore seatbelts. Only Derek was willing to buck the system, sitting without a seatbelt in the back seat, possibly reminding his friends, in the words of his newspaper column, that he belonged to the "die-hard group of non-wearers out there who simply do not wish to buckle up, no matter what the government does."

Around 3 a.m. the SUV hit a patch of ice, slid off Interstate 80, and rolled several times. Derek, in an involuntary display of his freedom from regulation, was thrown from the vehicle. He died at the scene. His friends, slaves to the seatbelt, survived with minor injuries.

Alcohol was not involved in the accident.

**project mindbender** · 01-22-06, 03:11 AM

I believe that is THE definition of Karma...

**chris2001** · 01-22-06, 03:50 AM

Nope this is the definition of Here's your sign.

**jmur5074** · 01-22-06, 06:23 AM

I'm really tired of seeing and hearing people die from not wearing seatbelts

Indy · 01-22-06, 08:37 AM

Originally Posted by jmur5074

I'm really tired of seeing and hearing people die from not wearing seatbelts

Exactly. Is it really that hard to put one on? I have it on before my car is rolling down the driveway. Heck, I even have a "doggie seatbelt" that I use once in awhile if I've just got one with me rather than a crate or letting them ride loose. They're getting a cage that both girls will ride in from now on as well - too many stories of dogs getting thrown out of vehicles when the human passenger survives because of a seatbelt.

**chris2001** · 01-22-06, 08:46 AM

The thing with seatbelts is that people view them as an inconviencance. While most of us here can attest to why they are useful a lot of times the public doesn't want to hear what you have to say about that. Look at DUI's how many commercials have you seen done, how many new reports, interviews and classes have been given on it. And people still continue to do it. While its sad that this young kid died, it is something that is going to continue because people anymore are to arrogant to listen.