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LIMA – It was not uncommon two decades ago for the annual number of road fatalities in Allen County to approach or exceed two dozen.
That was all the inspiration Evelyn Smith needed as a program director and road safety advocate for the Lima-Allen County Safe Community Coalition to step up its efforts to educate motorists about safe driving habits.
Smith, who retired earlier this year after more than 27 years in his previous post, was one of two people honored Thursday with the Safe Community Coalition’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
Russ Holly received an identical award, which has been an advocate for motorcycle safety for years and has been described as the “voice of motorcycles” of the coalition.
Smith and Holly, as well as Shawnee Township Police Department patroller Tyler Cramer, Lima Fire Inspector Warren Pughsley, and Ohio Highway Patroller John Tirado-Sanders were each honored in the 23rd program. annual coalition awards.
“We are 23 years strong and look forward to continuing,” said Berlin Carroll, administrator of the Allen County Juvenile and Estates Courts and treasurer of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 21, which along with the FOP Auxiliary Lodge 8, sponsored Thursday’s program.
“It is appropriate and important to recognize people in the community” who contribute to the safety and well-being of residents, said Carroll.
Smith was introduced by Bath Township Fire Chief Joe Kitchen, who acknowledged that the former program director would have a direct impact on reducing annual fatalities on highways in Allen County.
“When Evelyn started this (road safety) program, the number of fatalities was significantly higher than today. I know there are a lot of reasons behind this, but I truly believe Evelyn’s efforts have made a difference. She once told me that if her career could prevent a single fatal road accident, it was worth it.
Kitchen said Smith achieved this goal, and more.
“In the past, there had been as many as 22, 23 road fatalities per year in the county,” Smith said. “Once in the past decade that number has dropped to four. Factors such as law enforcement and education contributed to this, but we (the coalition) were certainly part of that mix. “
The Coalition Outstanding Service Award went to Cramer for his alertness at the scene of a motorcycle accident. At the scene of his very first fatal accident, Cramer is credited with saving the life of another victim by applying a tourniquet to the man’s leg.
Pughsley received the Child Safety Award and Tirado-Sanders won the Road Safety Award.
Shawnee Township Police Department patroller Tyler Cramer received the Lima-Allen County Safe Community Coalition Outstanding Service Award for his quick-wittedness which likely saved the life of an accident victim .
Evelyn Smith, retired program director of the Lima-Allen County Safe Community Coalition, was one of two recipients of the coalition’s Lifetime Achievement Award during a program held Thursday.
Russ Holly, described as the “voice of motorcycles” of the Lima-Allen County Safe Community Coalition and a longtime advocate for motorcycle safety, was honored with the group’s Lifetime Achievement Award on Thursday.
Honored Thursday by the Lima-Allen County Safe Community Coalition at the organization’s 23rd annual awards ceremony were, left to right, Warren Pughsley, Ohio State Highway Patrol Trooper John Tirado-Sanders, former program director of Coalition Evelyn Smith Motorcycle Advocate Russ Holly and Shawnee Township Police Department Patroller Tyler Cramer
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