In the summer of 2002, Aaron Calvo a Bochur of 23 at the time, was driving along Route 18 in Wisconsin on his way back from the airport to Postville after a long early morning drive when he attempted to overtake a car by passing on the left, and collided at high speed head on with a tractor trailer.
“The Seatbelt Saved My Life”
In the summer of 2002, Aaron Calvo a Bochur of 23 at the time, was driving along Route 18 in Wisconsin on his way back from the airport to Postville after a long early morning drive when he attempted to overtake a car by passing on the left, and collided at high speed head on with a tractor trailer.
The car, a 1998 Dodge Intrepid, was unrecognizable and completely destroyed, but Aaron survived the crash albeit sustaining serious injuries, “it was thanks to me wearing my seatbelt, it saved my life” he said.
Calvo was working in the yeshiva in Postville at the time and that morning at 2:00am he set out to take a few Bochurim to the airport, a two hour drive. Aaron told CrownHeights.info that he had over 150,000 miles of driving experience in his short driving career, and was sleeping short nights, shrugging off the possible effects this had on his driving ability.
Passerby’s on Kingston Avenue noticed the large billboard advertisement with the mangled car in its picture and wondered what was the story behind it, “well there you have it” said Aaron, adding “the message here is to drive safe, and I felt that with the summer upon us now is the most appropriate time to remind drivers of that.”
Today Aaron is married with two young children. “I wanted to take this opportunity and publicly thank Reb Sholom Mordechai Rubashkin who covered my medical expenses and took care of all my needs till I was able to get back up on my feet” concluded Aaron.
mendy
wow holy moly i thought that was a fake pictue from a junk yard when ive seen it on kingston ill take that seriosly thanks ch.info
George
that was my car!!!
It happens
I agree about the seat belt “however” I knew a person that was sitting in the front passenger seat. The only one of four in the car that had a seat belt on and was the only one killed when the car hit a tree.
omg
oooommmmmmmmmgggggg thats all i can say
The SEATBELT Saved My Life??
Let’s not forget that the RS”O saved his life!
srolly
someone should attach on paper the story in big and post it on the sign on kingston that people don’t just think its an advertisement but that it actually happened hashem yishmor
Wow
I think this is such a inspiration having some one utilize this experience as a learning tool for others. putting up a bus stop ad aint cheep, Thank you Aron!
Rubashkin fan
i noticed This guy thanks SM Rubashkin just another good deed SM has done, one that until this article no one would even notice.
SDR
Yes, it’s all to the Ribono Shel Olam’s credit that Aaron’s life was saved, but it’s a mitzvah to do what we can to safeguard our lives. Aaron did so by wearing a seatbelt and through his hishtadlus, his life was saved.
rubashkin
“I wanted to take this opportunity and publicly thank Reb Sholom Mordechai Rubashkin who covered my medical expenses and took care of all my needs till I was able to get back up on my feet”
there must be thousands of these stories
Don-t forget
To It happens – but we should never rely on miracles. Wear your seat belt and train children when they are young! It is important
moshe
you can advertise on the bus shelters in crown heights to get your message to the public. its well worth it
For camp van drivers also
The messege here is not only for individules in the neighborhood but rather for all those 15 passenger camp vans rolling blindly along all the twists and turns of race track routes in the catskills (think 42, 209 55 etc.)
If I drive a 15 passenger, my guys know that the van’s engine doesn’t start without pluged in seatbelts in all of the backseats. They learnt this the hard way durring their first week of camp: by the time they got their seatbelts on it was too late to leave.
Camps need to take his messege seriosly. I will NEVER hire a van driver for camp who is under 21. Rental companies know what their doing when they refuse to rent to under 25. Its these kids who havn’t a clue about the importance of seat belts and the results of speeding. They simply haven’t been around long enough to experience the horrors of a roadside tragedy. In order to be hired, I require a short essey on their application asking them do explain in writing why they think they would be safe drivers.
to For camp van drivers also
I agree with you very much, except for that which you write “Its these kids who havn’t a clue about the importance of seat belts and the results of speeding. They simply haven’t been around long enough to experience the horrors of a roadside tragedy”. I myself make sure even when driving Bochurim, and even if it sounds ‘Mammyish’, that they all wear their seatbelts! I am 18 years old and have B“H learned already about this, when my friend got into an accident, with lots of broken glass, airbags popped, etc. And had we have not been wearing our seatbelts only G-d knows what could have happened!
DON’T SAY THAT ANYBODY UNDER 21 HAS NO EXPIERIENCE AND ARE IRRESPONSIBLE DRIVERS, THAT’S DISCRIMINATION! DO SAY ”I require a short essey on their application asking them do explain in writing why they think they would be safe drivers”.
Chaim
TO-to For camp van drivers also:
Discrimination is not allowing a minor to drink from the same water fountain as a 25 yr old but not hiring 21yr olds to bus around little kids is just common scene.
Assuming your from crown heights i understand why you take issue with the common scenes thing.
side note:
My best friend totaled my car and yes he was wearing a seat belt and he sustained minimal injuries. The lesson learned from that is to drive safer and be more aware of your surroundings. By no means am I saying don’t wear a seat belt but I am saying accidents aren’t the reason. When there is an accident regardless of who is at fault everyone has a bad day weather or not there are injuries.
Here are a few guidelines for young drivers:
1.Slow down.
2.Don’t race to a stop. There is no point you will just sit longer and waste gas speeding to the light or stop sing.
3.Use your blinkers.
4.use caution when passing on either side especially when crossing a double yellow or onto any on coming traffic. (Thats what Aron did wrong and it nearly cost him his life.)
5.Pay attention to the cars bikes and people around you.
to... it happens
Unfortunately, stories like yours do occur… however they are the exception that proves the rule, and by all accounts, seat belts save far more lives than they may possibly cause.
wow may hashem help SM rubashkin in this
zechus and all the many zechusim he has!!
he really is the greatest person i knoW!!
DONT
call it the seatbelt that saved my life
you can say ‘hakadosh baruch hu saved my life through his shliach, The Seatbelt.’
ATTN SHLUCHIM
shluchim! Please take note of this article. Dont allow young or new drivers to be the designated counselor driver.
This should be the job af an older girl and an experienced driver. When all the counselors get into the car to go out, its loud, boisterous and distracting for the driver. PLEASE be aware of the dangers involved. They jump into the car at any time of night. Please set rules and supervise car use.
Shluchim and parents!! Do not allow teens to take road trips at night!!! There have been too many incidents where terrible accidents have happened. People naturaly are tired at night.. it is too risky! Be smart, please.
In general, Don’t assume teans will be cautious! Please be the responsible adult!
To ATTN SHLUCHIM
I agree 100% but the other problem is the other guy. The best and safest drivers can be in terrible accidents because of other DWI’s etc.
This is where Hashem is needed for protection.
Chaim
To-To ATTN SHLUCHIM
its a very big etc that we need g-d for
That-s my boy!
Unfortunately my sister died in a car crash the day after her chasuneh R”L. She was not using a seat belt. Her seatbelted husband barely had any scratches.
As a result I NEVER allowed my childen to ride without car seats or buckleing up.
Parents: Hashem gave you your precious children for you to protect. Please make it second nature for them to always buckle up – even if they cry or kvetch about it.
Baruch Hashem, Aaron was buckled up. It was our very special Purim miracle. I’m proud of you Aaron.
driving lubav-syle
2 rules for drivein
1)Never give a car to someone whom you have given birth to.
2)Never drive faster then your guardian angel can fly