Ohio Department of Transportation employees often perform work duties to help promote public and highway safety. Many of these employees risk their lives by working in close proximity to moving motor vehicles. A recent fatal accident involving a semi truck and a ODOT backhoe has left one man dead and authorities asking many questions.

The fatal truck accident occurred just after 9 a.m. on a weekday morning as Ohio motorists made their way to work. At this time, a 27-year-old ODOT male employee was operating a backhoe in an attempt to clear debris from the side of the busy road. At this same time, the semi truck driven by a 59-year-old man left the road near where the 27-year-old was operating the backhoe. The semi truck crashed violently into the back of the backhoe and the two vehicles became engulfed in flames.

Tragically the 27-year-old ODOT employee was killed in the accident. The 59-year-old truck driver responsible for causing the fatal crash suffered multiple injuries and was taken to a nearby medical facility for treatment. As police attempted to gather evidence and clear the accident scene, traffic was stopped for hours.

While the truck accident remains under investigation there is little doubt that the truck driver was negligent in causing the fatal accident. ODOT employees take numerous safety precautions to ensure they are safe while performing work-related duties on and near Ohio's highways and roads. In this instance, ODOT officials report that a ODOT truck with flashing lights warned approaching drivers via a lit up sign that road crews were in operation and that motorists should slow down.

Source: The Columbus Dispatch, "Troopers seek answers to fiery I-71 crash that killed ODOT worker," Laura Arenschield, April 23, 2013