Two ODOT Workers Injured in Early Morning Accident on I-5
Two contract workers were injured and transported by ambulance to Oregon Health & Science University with non-life threatening injuries
(LAKE OSWEGO, Ore. ) — A commercial truck driver was cited by Oregon State Police following an early Friday morning injury traffic crash at a highway work zone area in the northbound lanes of Interstate 5 near Lake Oswego.
Preliminary information indicates at approximately 12:46 a.m., an OSP trooper drove upon the crash scene shortly after it happened in the northbound lanes of Interstate 5 near milepost 291 at a highway work zone where a contract company was involved in a striping project for ODOT.
A commercial truck driven by 58-year-old Kenneth Graven from Glendale, was northbound when it was involved in a collision with two construction vehicles.
The truck jackknifed and came to rest blocking the northbound lanes.
Two contract workers were injured and transported by ambulance to Oregon Health & Science University with non-life threatening injuries.
Graven was transported by ambulance to Meridian Park Hospital with a minor injury. He was cited by OSP for Reckless Driving.
ODOT coordinated removal of vehicles and cleanup of fuel and debris at the scene. Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue assisted at the scene.
The crash blocked the northbound lanes for over four hours during incident response and investigation.
OSP and ODOT urge drivers to be alert for highway work zones and workers day and night.
According to ODOT:
Work zone crashes are often more severe than other types of crashes.
Most work zone crashes are caused by drivers not paying attention.
Speeding - or driving too fast for conditions - is the second leading cause of work zone crashes.
More than 40% of work zone crashes happen in the transition zone prior to the work area.
Drivers and passengers are more likely to be injured or killed than on-site workers.
Fines in work zones are double 24/7 whether workers are present or not.
More information about highway work zone safety is available on ODOT's website at:
http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/ts/
