Lakeville, MN (Learfield Wire Services/TTWN Media Networks) -  Minnesota State Patrol Sergeant Mike Krukowski says if it weren't for his seatbelt, his wife would've been planning his funeral. Krukowski was involved in a head-on crash last month when a driver near Lakeville veered off Interstate-35, went through the freeway fence and struck his squad S-U-V.

Krukowski says over his 14 years on patrol he's heard every reason why people don't wear their seatbelts -- including, "I'll be able to belt in if needed." He says he had only fractions of a second to react when he saw the car coming and there was no way he would have been able to reach over his shoulder, pull the seatbelt and click it.

Krukowski broke both his feet and arm in the crash. The driver of the other car died several days later.

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