A Kokosing Construction employee, Jordan Thomas, was fatally struck by a vehicle that entered a closed work zone on I-70 near downtown Columbus. The driver fled the scene, and authorities are investigating the hit-and-run, highlighting the dangers faced by road workers.
Authorities say Thomas, an employee of Kokosing Construction, was struck when a maroon Toyota sedan entered the closed work area. Investigators confirmed they do not have a suspect who caused a deadly hit-and-run on I-70 as crews worked on the Downtown Ramp Up Project.
According to ODOT, crews were working on bridge decks and ramps near downtown Columbus just after 2 a.m. when the crash happened.“We just had a car come into our zone and hit one of the workers,” an ODOT worker told dispatch. “He is not conscious. He’s on top of a car. Not breathing." Witnesses told dispatchers Thomas was on the hood of the vehicle for several moments before the driver fled westbound on I-70.Matt Bruning with ODOT said work zones often offer little protection between workers and moving traffic. “In a work zone you can have as little as a plastic barrel between you and moving traffic,” Bruning said. “Our folks are out there day in and day out right next to traffic that’s trying to get where they need to go.” In the atrium of ODOT's main office along W. Broad St., a memorial honors ODOT workers killed on the job, a reminder of the dangers road workers face. “The vast majority of these over the years were probably preventable incidents,” Bruning said. “Someone not paying attention, driving too fast, or impaired. These memorials are at some of our rest areas throughout the state as a reminder to the public that these men and women are out there working every day, and they want to go home safe at the end of the day, just like you do." "Jordan Thomas was a beloved friend and valued team member of Kokosing Construction whose life was tragically cut short," said John Householder, President of Kokosing Construction. "Jordan’s loss is deeply felt by everyone who knew him, and our thoughts remain with his family, friends, and coworkers. Nothing is more important than the safety and lives of our team members.""Jordan always had a smile on his face,” one friend told ABC 6. “I was lucky enough to work with him for four years and he always made everyone laugh.”Meanwhile, investigators are urging anyone with information to come forward. The reward for tips has now grown to $110,000, with $100,000 from Kokosing Construction and Central Ohio Crime Stoppers and an additional $10,000 from PFM Fleet Services. “Do the right thing,” Bruning said. “That driver knows what they did. This is just a reminder that this is a dangerous job that these folks perform out there. Their only ask is to give them some space and attention so that they can go home safe at the end of the day."Madison County man accused of stabbing his wife to death in October held on $1.5M bond A London man charged with murder in the suspicious death of his wife made his first court appearance Friday.Bond was set at $1.5 million for Kyle Long, 35, whoOhio will soon prohibit SNAP recipients from using benefits to purchase carbonated sugary drinks.Drivers heading into downtown Columbus faced major delays Friday afternoon after Interstate 70 East was closed at I-71 North.A former property manager accused of exploiting Haitian immigrants by renting out apartments listed as vacant is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday.The mother of two girls found buried inside suitcases in Cleveland was charged Thursday with two counts of murder, police said.
Hit-And-Run Construction Worker I-70 Work Zone Safety ODOT
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