SUV slams into back of ODOT truck on I-90; officials issue warning
Investigators said an ODOT crew was setting up to clean out drains on I-90 East near Eddy Road in Bratenahl on Wednesday morning.
An SUV in the high-speed lane slammed into the back of an ODOT truck and trailer, parked behind the workers to provide them with a wall of protection, investigators said.
One of the workers called 911 .
'One of the motorists hit our truck's mounted attenuator while we were doing a work zone and it's like multiple cars back there. I don't know how many that were involved,' the worker told the dispatcher.
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Fortunately, most of the force of the collision was absorbed by a device towed behind the ODOT truck called an 'accident impact attenuator.'
'It's basically there to prevent the impact to the truck and save the wear and tear on the truck and also protect our employees that are working in front of the truck,' said ODOT spokesman Brent Kovacs.
One of the ODOT workers was taken to the emergency room as a precaution and later released.
No information has been released about the driver of the SUV.
Whether that driver was at fault or was forced by another vehicle into the ODOT attenuator trailer and truck has not been made public.
However, ODOT said the accident illustrates why all drivers must be aware of construction zones and daily work zones and drive with caution.
'Motorists have got to move over anytime they see a vehicle with flashing lights, or slow down as a last resort and this applies to all the lanes,' said Kovacs.
The accident marks the 62nd time so far this year that ODOT equipment or employees have been struck by motorists on roadways across the state.
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ODOT said in 2024, there were 84 such collisions.
One of the big factors in the crashes has been distracted driving, and that's why many ODOT workers have grown accustomed to keeping one eye on their work and one eye on the traffic around them.
'Whatever that distraction may be, from your phone to eating to drinking coffee to doing something that's taking your mind, your hand off the steering wheel or your eyes off the road and you have to pay attention, keep all your senses on the roadway to ensure that it's safe for the men and women working on the road,' Kovacs said.
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