Latest news with #MattBruning
New York Post
02-05-2025
- Automotive
- New York Post
Reckless Ohio driver causes multi-vehicle crash by coming to full stop on busy interstate after missing exit — then flees
A reckless driver caused a three-vehicle crash on a busy Ohio interstate when they came to a dead stop after missing an exit and tried merging over during rush hour traffic. The Ohio Department of Transportation posted a jaw-dropping clip that shows a heavy flow of traffic on Interstate 71 moments before the wreck around 5:24 p.m. near downtown Columbus on April 30, The Columbus Dispatch reported. In the clip, a red minivan is seen crawling into the frame in the middle lane of the busy three-lane highway as other vehicles zip around it. Advertisement The driver of the van appeared to have missed the exit heading towards Dayton and decided to take a risk, coming to a full stop in hopes of cutting across two lanes of traffic. As the minivan came to a standstill, two other minivans were forced to abruptly stop behind the reckless driver as vehicles in both adjacent lanes continued to speed past them. Advertisement However, a large passenger van plowed into the back of the minivan, propelling it forward into the other, causing a multi-vehicle accident. The driver of the red van, who caused the wreck, then seizes the opportunity to cross over into the left lane and carelessly merge into the exit, driving off. The reckless driver of the red minivan has not been identified after fleeing from the scene, and no life-threatening injuries were reported, according to the outlet. In the clip, a red minivan is seen crawling into the frame in the middle lane of the busy three-lane highway as other vehicles zip around it. ABC 6 via Ohio Department of Transportation Advertisement 'When you are driving along a major interstate and you miss your exit do you: A) keep driving and get off at the next one or B) come to a complete stop, cause a multi-car rear-end crash and then drive away,' The Ohio Department of Transportation prompted its followers in its post. 'HINT: The answer is NEVER B. Do not be this driver.' Ohio Department of Transportation Press Secretary Matt Bruning told Fox 8 that the driver did the 'worst thing you can do on a highway' if they missed their exit. A large passenger van collided with the rear of the minivan, propelling it forward into the other vehicle, resulting in a multi-vehicle accident. ABC 6 via Ohio Department of Transportation Advertisement 'What this driver did is extremely dangerous and the absolute worst thing you could do,' he said. According to studies by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, around 94% of motor vehicle accidents are estimated to be caused by driver error. A nationwide study released by the personal finance website ValuePenguin in April — used data from the NHTSA, Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), and the Fatality and Injury Reporting System Tool (FIRST) — found that reckless driving was responsible for 6.4% of motor vehicle deaths from 2018 to 2022, totaling more than 12,600 fatalities. In 2021, it led to more than 3,000 deaths, making up 7.1% of that year's motor vehicle deaths.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Spring means increase in littering across Ohio: How you can help
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Your closets and cars aren't the only things that could use a spring cleaning. So could the streets. The Ohio Department of Transportation says that at the start of spring, more cigarettes, cans and other trash appear all over the roads each year. 'It's disgusting out there. It's embarrassing. All of us as Ohioans should be embarrassed at the level of trash that is out there along our roadsides,' said Matt Bruning, press secretary for the Ohio Department of Transportation. All of the cigarette butts, cans and more is left for crews like ODOT to clean up. The same employees tasked with picking up your trash are also the ones who spent all winter plowing roads. So after a busy season, they're met with an overwhelming amount of litter. 'We all can do a little bit to keep one person from having to do a lot,' Bruning said. Red Robin reveals intentions for rest of central Ohio locations after Easton closure Each year, around $10 million worth of taxpayer money goes into litter clean up, money that could be going elsewhere. 'Our Safe Routes to School program which builds infrastructure and programming to help kids get to and from school safely walking and biking has been around $10 million. We could double that program with what we'd save,' he said. Littering is a misdemeanor in Ohio. It can be punished with up to a $500 fine and 60 days in jail. Still, Bruning said it doesn't stop people from throwing their trash out on roadways. 'I think it's hard to fix it because it's a culture change. Just like drunk driving, distracted driving it's a culture change that has to be made,' he said. If you want to help out, the city is hosting the first major clean up event of the year on Saturday. Organizers said if you're interested in volunteering, meet at 10 a.m. at the Wolfe Park Shelter House on 105 Park Drive. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
‘A lot of blowing and drifting snow;' Over 1000 ODOT crews treating snow-covered roads
Several Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) crews continue to treat the roads after Sunday's accumulating snowfall. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Matt Bruning, ODOT Spokesperson, said on social media Sunday that over 1,000 crews were out across the state treating roads. As previously reported by News Center 7, parts of the Miami Valley saw as much as three to four inches of snow on Sunday. TRENDING STORIES: STAY INFORMED: Schools announce delays after wintry weather moves through region 1 in custody after large police presence in Huber Heights neighborhood Deputies rescue 'severely malnourished' horses, goats; man facing animal cruelty charges In addition to snow showers, the winds presented a challenge to ODOT crews. 'Crews are dealing with a lot of blowing and drifting snow,' said Bruning. He posted two photos that showed drifting snow on U.S. 127 south of U.S. 40 south in Preble County. Bruning also asked drivers to give ODOT crews room to work and check for travel information. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
‘Tremendous accomplishment;' Part of busy interstate reopens after Ohio River bridge fire
Part of a busy interstate is back open months after a fire severely damaged it. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The southbound lanes of Interstate 471 approaching the Daniel Carter Bridge reopened Sunday night, according to the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT). As originally reported by News Center 7, the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge sustained 'significant damage on the Ohio approach,' Matt Bruning, ODOT spokesperson, said on Nov. 1. TRENDING STORIES: Officers, medics respond to reported shooting in Dayton Are you driving to Wright-Patt? These changes could impact your commute Business closing after 39 years in Greene County The opening came exactly 100 days after a fire damaged the roadway. 'Reopening southbound access to this bridge in just over three months is a tremendous accomplishment,' said Governor DeWine on Friday. 'The closure of these lanes wasn't only an inconvenience, but also a disruption to the supply chain. I applaud our ODOT team and their partners for working hard to finish the project ahead of schedule.' ODOT, Great Lakes Construction, and at least two dozen sub-contractors worked to design both the bridge's demolition and reconstruction. Our news partner WCPO in Cincinnati reports that crews put the finishing touches on the bridges. This included 'grinding and grooving the newly cured concrete deck and some final welding below the expansion seal,' WCPO said. ODOT crews took down barricades, signs, and cones from the closure on Sunday. They also painted the line markings for the interstate. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
‘Give them plenty of room;' 2 more snowplows hit in Ohio
The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) continues to ask for drivers to give them after two more snowplows got hit. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] ODOT's Akron/Canton District 4 shared photos of two snowplows that got hit in northeast Ohio last week on social media. It brings the total to 34 ODOT crews that have been hit statewide in 2025. TRENDING STORIES: 'A first for us;' Sheriff's offices investigating numerous mysterious drone sightings Springfield officer behind bars after pleading guilty to OVI charge 2 taken to hospital with burns after kitchen fire in Dayton As previously reported by News Center 7, Matt Bruning from ODOT said at least 20 snowplows got hit in 2024. 'We had 22 all of last winter. Please, give us room to work!' he said on social media back on Jan. 5 when the state got with a winter storm. ODOT repeated that request on Monday. A photo showed one snowplow sustained rear-end damage after a crash with an SUV. 'Remember, when you see flashing lights and our crews working, give them plenty of room to do their job,' they said on Facebook. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
