Ohio Officer Escapes Brush With Death Near Construction Zone

The Ohio State Highway Patrol in Akron is digging into the reason for a two-car crash near a construction site that sent a Stow police officer and one other man to the hospital with injuries.

It’s suspected that drunken driving was involved in the crash.

Reports and dashcam videos indicate that the 47-year-old police sergeant was sitting in the left-hand lane on Route 8 North near Steels Corners Road with his emergency lights on to help keep construction crew members safe from oncoming traffic in the dark. The construction on Route 8 has been the site of multiple accidents — 25 prior to this most recent one — since construction started in March.

Route 8 has long been considered one of the most dangerous roads in the area and drivers often exceed the posted limits — even around construction zones. This puts construction workers at grave risk of serious injuries anytime they’re on the job.

This most recent accident, which occurred around 10:27 p.m. near milepost 9 was caused by a 57-year-old man driving a Ford Fusion. Dashcam evidence indicates that he failed to slow down and clipped the side of the officer’s cruiser. It isn’t clear what injuries that driver suffered, but the officer was taken to Akron General Hospital with back and neck injuries.

For everyone’s safety, police are urging motorists to slow down when they approach a construction zone. Roadway construction is dangerous enough for workers without having to worry that a driver will speed through the area and cause severe injuries.

If you were injured while working roadside construction or your loved one was killed, it’s important to think about the future of your family. Find out more about your legal rights regarding compensation for your losses. Depending on the circumstances, there may be multiple avenues you can pursue for redress.