Oregon transportation officials are urging drivers to pay attention, slow down, and give space in work zones on state freeways and highways. That's after a tragic crash earlier this week.
A stranded driver was killed and an Oregon Department of Transportation employee was seriously injured Tuesday when a passing driver struck them alongside I-84 near Arlington.
ODOT said its employee parked on the shoulder and activated warning lights and a reader board directing traffic to the far lane. He was helping change a flat tire.
A westbound vehicle hit the ODOT truck, killing a man from Ocean Shores Washington and injuring the ODOT worker, who was taken to a hospital by a lifeflight helicopter. Oregon State Police are investigating the crash.
Oregon’s Move Over Law requires drivers approaching a stopped vehicle with flashing or hazard lights to move over when it is safe to do so or slow down.
Oregon work zone crashes hit a five-year high in 2024 — 621 crashes — according to the latest data from ODOT.
