An Ohio motorist is in custody after being accused of killing a construction worker and injuring another after hitting them late on the evening of Oct. 9. The driver was later charged in Berea Municipal Court, and bond was set at $1 million. The 31-year-old woman ran into the two Trafftech workers shortly before 11:30 p.m. on Interstate 71 near Snow Road in Brook Park. By the time police arrived to the scene of the deadly crash, one of the workers was already dead, while the other was found unconscious and rushed to MetroHealth Hospital.
The motorist reportedly continued to drive down the road until the next exit, where she left the highway and parked at a nearby restaurant. A colleague of the workers followed her there and allegedly assaulted her after she parked the car. Police arrested both at the scene, but the worker was later released. The Ohio Department of Transportation issued a statement urging drivers to take care around road work sites, emphasizing the need to move aside and slow down. The ODOT press secretary noted that four highway workers were killed throughout the state in car accidents in the past year.
Fatal accidents happen all too frequently on the roads for a wide range of reasons. Some drivers are moving too quickly, while others are distracted by phones or other devices. Distracted driving can be especially deadly late at night, when it is more difficult to see the road ahead.
When a person’s life is taken due to another person’s negligence, the surviving family members may be able to seek compensation for their losses. A personal injury lawyer can provide advice and guidance to bereaved families about pursuing a wrongful death lawsuit.