Saved by the Belt Award presented

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) - The Virginia Highway Safety Office presented a local woman with the Saved by the Belt Award on Tuesday.

The recipient is Jean Marie W. Bentley, who was involved in a head-on collision in Portsmouth on April 28, 2009. Bentley was wearing a seatbelt, as was her dog.

"Not the worst accident I've ever heard of but when your involved in it it seems like the worst in the world," said Bentley.

The dog was in a special canine seatbelt and was unharmed in the accident. "The seat belt itself is only $15 but the value for what it did in the accident is immeasurable," she said.

Bentley sustained only a fracture in her arm. And the dog's seatbelt helped to keep it contained while medical personal attended to her injury.

"When I reached over to check on Bella and reassure her, I realized my arm was broken because it flopped down," she said.

Bella enjoys walking these days but when she hits the road, they will be sure to keep two hands on the wheel and four paws in a belt.