Latest news with #BrentKovacs
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
ODOT crew's equipment struck by distracted driver in Cleveland, officials say
CLEVELAND (WJW) – An early morning crash on Thursday highlights the growing danger faced by roadside workers in Ohio. According to the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), one of their contractors was struck around 2 a.m. while performing a striping operation on I-271 North near Rockside Road in Cleveland. There were no reported injuries. Young boy dies in Mansfield; detectives believe child was left in hot vehicle The crew had all proper safety signage and a crash impact attenuator in place behind the striping truck. Despite these precautions, a driver—distracted by their phone—plowed into the work zone, officials said. 'The driver got out of the vehicle still using the phone, still distracted,' said Brent Kovacs of ODOT District 12. According to Kovacs, this incident marks the 72nd time an ODOT crew has been struck in 2025 alone. Last year, 88 work crews were hit across the state. VIDEO: Fireball streaks across sky in South Carolina 'We're definitely on pace to surpass last year's numbers, and that's unfortunate because it's completely avoidable,' Kovacs said. Distracted driving is not only dangerous, it's illegal. In Ohio, using a cell phone or electronic device while driving is banned and violators can face tickets and fines. ODOT is urging drivers to stay alert, especially during the busy summer construction season. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
SUV slams into back of ODOT truck on I-90; officials issue warning
BRATENAHL, Ohio (WJW) – The Ohio Department of Transportation is reminding drivers about work zone safety after the latest in a string of collisions between civilian vehicles and ODOT trucks. 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. 'Twice in less than a week?' Another pileup on I-71 after driver stops 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. Bay Village student critically injured during lacrosse game 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. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
ODOT crews prepared for latest round of wintry mix
CLEVELAND (WJW) — Another round of sleet and freezing rain has Ohio Department of Transportation crews working hard to keep the roads passable. As soon as they learned of the Winter Weather Advisory Wednesday crews began salting roadways across Northeast Ohio. Find your latest weather alerts here One after another they were filling up and heading out. 'We're out in full force,' said Brent Kovacs, ODOT Public Information Officer, 'It's gonna be over 200 trucks out in Northeast Ohio, primarily salting and then plowing if anything does accumulate on the roads.' Already this winter ODOT's used 70,000 tons of salt, but they say they still have plenty left for the duration of winter. Unlike the last two ice storms, the timing of the system rolling in during rush hour could be tricky and conditions could vary greatly from mile to mile based on how the precipitation is coming down. ODOT is encouraging drivers to check the OHGO app prior to heading out to get real time road conditions and accident locations. They say proper vehicle maintenance with these ice storms is also important; making sure to replace poor wiper blades and fill up the windshield wiper fluid. Ohio trooper wrecked patrol car, charged with OVI But more than anything they're asking drivers for patience. 'We are going to be out there salting but we can not salt everywhere at the same time so we need everyone to just slow down, go below the posted speed limit and drive per the conditions you are experiencing wherever you are on the road,' he said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
