Seatbelt credited in saving man’s life in rear-end crash

(ABC 6 News) – A seat belt is believed to have saved a man’s life when a pickup truck rear-ended a combine in rural Cerro Gordo County Wednesday evening.

The Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Office says at about 5:45 p.m., Jon Carlson, 51 of Meservey, was headed driving a combine east on 120th Street while Curt Smith, 85 of Clear Lake, was also eastbound in a pickup.

The report states that Smith ran into the back of the combine causing major damage to both vehicles and blocking the highway.

However, the Sheriff’s Office credits Smith wearing his seat belt with saving his life. He suffered only minor injuries and was transported from the scene by Mason City Fire Medics.

The crash is still under investigation.