GRAND FORKS, N.D. (KFGO) – The North Dakota Highway Patrol and Vision Zero honored a Northwood man with their Saved by the Helmet award.
According to Vision Zero, John Boury received the award for his commitment to always wearing his helmet when he rides a motorcycle.
Boury was severely injured in 2021 when the trike he was riding was hit by the driver of a three-quarter ton pickup who ran through a stop sign. Boury shared his story to encourage every rider to wear their helmet.
“I wore my helmet all the time, but I never expected to be in a crash,” Boury said. “I have no doubt the helmet saved my life. The doctors can do amazing things putting you back together, but you must survive that crash. And I’m sure I would not have survived without the helmet.”
Sgt. Christopher Schaefer said it was easy to nominate Boury for the award.
“He made a conscious decision before he started riding that morning to wear his helmet,” Schaefer said. “He had a family to return home to. That says a lot about a person to take the time to think about what a small action could do and what it could mean to your family if something happens on the road.”
At the celebration, John Boury and his wife Deb met with the first responders for the first time since the crash.
According to Vision Zero, there were 21 motorcycle fatalities in North Dakota in 2022 – a 62 percent increase from 2021.
