OnStar Customer Wins VITA Award For Foiling Kidnapping
FOR RELEASE: May 24, 2001OnStar Customer Wins VITA Award For Foiling Kidnapping
TROY, Mich. - OnStar subscriber Rev. R. David Keith of New Jersey is the first telematics customer to receive a VITA Award from the Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association (CTIA).
Keith will be recognized at the VITA Awards ceremony June 5, in Washington, D.C. for using his OnStar emergency service to help police apprehend a criminal and rescue a woman from a kidnapping in progress. VITA, Latin for "life," is the annual award from CTIA given to individuals who use their wireless to assist others in times of emergency.
A pastor of the Providence Missionary Baptist Church in Newark, N.J. as well as a police chaplain for the Newark Police Dept., Keith noticed one night last month that the van in front of him was swerving. As the van approached a series of stoplights, the passenger door unexpectedly flew open. A woman's leg kicked wildly in the air, and in seconds, her leg was pulled back into the van, the door slammed shut, and the van sped off. At the next stoplight, the door again flew open as the female desperately tried to flee the van. In a horrifying sight, a man's hand grabbed her hair and yanked her back into the vehicle.
"I could see through the van rear windows and knew the lady was in trouble, so I continued to follow the van closely," said Keith. "In addition to being a pastor, I'm also a police chaplain. At the time of the incident, I didn't have a firearm or a police radio; I was traveling in my personal car."
Acting quickly, Keith pressed the OnStar emergency button in his car. While Keith explained the situation, the OnStar advisor pinpointed his vehicle on Highway 109 and notified the local police. Within five minutes, the Newark Police Dept. had stopped the van and rescued the female from what was a kidnapping in progress. According to Keith, the perpetrator was a convicted felon with multiple outstanding warrants.
"Anyone who lives in the Newark area knows Highway 109 is a difficult road to follow. OnStar was able to follow my vehicle as I trailed the van, said Keith. "I am grateful that I was able to stop this crime. And I thank OnStar for assisting me in saving this innocent woman and bringing this wanted criminal to justice."
"We are proud that the first telematics customer has received a VITA Award, and we are proud of Rev. Keith and his heroic actions," said Chet Huber, OnStar president. "This courageous story demonstrates how OnStar is a vital connection to emergency services and helps save lives."
In addition to the award, Keith has also been selected as a spokesperson for the VITA Wireless Samaritan Awards and will be featured in upcoming national and regional advertisements.
Initiated in 1993, the VITA Wireless Samaritan Awards recognize the outstanding public service of individuals who use their wireless phones to save lives, stop crimes and quickly request help in emergencies. A select panel of individuals from law enforcement and emergency response services judged the more than 100 nominees.
The VITA Awards are an annual part of CTIA's National Wireless Safety Week, scheduled this year from May 21 - 27. The goal of this awareness campaign is to educate drivers to safely use cellular communications while traveling in their vehicles. In addition to providing safety and security services, OnStar offers Personal Calling, which allows drivers to make and receive hands-free, voice activated calls while in the vehicle. - there is no keypad or handset to hold.
About OnStar
OnStar, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Motors Corp., is the nation's leading provider of in-vehicle safety, security and information services using the Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite network and wireless technology. OnStar services include automatic notification of air bag deployment, stolen vehicle tracking, emergency services, roadside assistance with location, remote door unlock, remote diagnostics, route support, OnStar Concierge and convenience services. OnStar Personal Calling, being rolled out nationally, allows drivers to make and receive hands-free, voice-activated phone calls through a nationwide network in cooperation with Verizon Wireless. Virtual Advisor, developed in conjunction with General Magic Inc., allows subscribers to access personalized Web-based information, in a hands-free voice-activated manner - there are no screens or displays. OnStar telematic services are available on GM, Acura, Lexus, and Audi vehicles.
For additional information on OnStar, visit the Web site at http://www.onstar.com. For additional information on CTIA and the annual VITA Wireless Samaritan Awards, visit the CTIA web site at http://www.wow-com.com.