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2008 February Slush
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Darwin Awards
2008 Slush Pile

This item was recently submitted by a reader.
Should I include it in the archive?
Vote to tell me what *you* think!

Seatbelt subterfuge kills driver

2008 Reader Submission
Pending Acceptance

Darwin says, "This story describes a completely foolish act: rigging a pseudo seat belt strap, to avoid being caught without your seat belt, because you have been finded 32 times for not wearing a seatbelt. Add smoking and taking drugs while driving... any child could see a catastrophe approaching! BUT innocent people were injured when he crossed the line and collided with an oncoming vehicle. Therefore I cannot allow this story into the archive. Thanks, nevertheless, for the submission."
Ivan Segedin's subterfuge killed him when he was in a head-on car crash while wearing a fake seatbelt, a coroner says.

"Ultimately Mr Segedin's actions in driving without a seatbelt have cost him his life in an accident that he may well have survived had he worn one," coroner Carla na Nagara said yesterday.

Mr Segedin died in a crash on July 22 last year near Okato, in Taranaki, from multiple injuries when his car crossed the road and collided head-on with an oncoming vehicle, the coroner said.

Mr Segedin, 39, refused to wear a seatbelt and had been fined for not wearing one 32 times since February 2003.

Examination of his car found that, though it was fitted with proper seatbelts, an additional belt with a long strap had been knotted above the seatbelt on the driver's side, providing a belt to simply sit over the driver's shoulder, Ms Nagara said.

Presumably this was to create the illusion to a passing motorist or police officer that a seatbelt was being worn when it was not.

Mr Segedin's car had an expired warrant, was full of rust, and an autopsy blood test showed he had taken methamphetamine and cannabis. But Ms Nagara said not wearing a seatbelt was the one variable that made the difference between life and death. "He died when quite possibly he need not have."

His fatal injuries were caused when he was thrown forward on to the steering wheel in a low-impact crash.

No blame or responsibility for the crash rested on the other driver, Ms Nagara said.

Submitted on 02/22/2008

Submitted by: Anonymous
Reference: Taranaki Daily News 23 Feb 2008

Copyright © 2008 DarwinAwards.com

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Bruce said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
I'm assuming that since this was a "low-impact crash" and there's no indication otherwise that the other driver wasn't injured. Given that, I guess Mr. Segedin got exactly what he deserved. He'll never have to worry about wearing a seatbelt again. Thanks for the submission!


James said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
Generally, failure to wear a seatbelt is too common, but this mook went above and beyond the call of stupidity! Despite 32 (count 'em!) chances to repent, his issues with authority compelled him to rig a FAUX seat belt. Add to that the drug use and vehicle neglect, and the outcome is not surprising! A first-class loser could very well become a DA winner in the end!


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