2 Flaggers Struck In Construction Zones Over 2 Nights: ODOT

SALEM, OR — Twice this week Oregon Department of Transportation flaggers were struck in construction zones while trying to control traffic. One of the flaggers died while the other sustained serious injuries. Now ODOT officials are calling upon all Oregon drivers, asking that they pay attention to the road — especially when traveling through construction areas — to avoid accidents and fatal collisions.

The first collision occurred Tuesday, Aug. 14, along Oregon-Washington Highway 11 near Athena. The flagger who was hit, Tyresa Monaghan, 49, of Kennewick, Washington, had reportedly stopped traffic through the zone around 8:40 p.m.

While the vehicle ahead of his was stopping for Monaghan, Leman Louis Bledsoe, 76, of Milton-Freewater, continued through, sideswiping the now stopped car and running right into Monaghan with his silver 2005 Chrysler minivan. Monaghan sustained fatal injuries and died at the scene, police said. Bledsoe, however, kept driving through the construction zone for about another mile before finally stopping.

Bledsoe was arrested and taken to Umatilla County Jail. He is charged with manslaughter, driving under the influence of intoxicants, reckless driving and recklessly endangering another person, failure to perform the duties of a driver to an injured person, and recklessly endangering a highway worker.

The next night, Wednesday, Aug. 15, around 9 p.m., another flagger was struck in a construction zone, this time roughly 8 miles south of Monmouth.

The flagger who was struck on OR 99W Wednesday night reportedly sustained serious injuries.

According to ODOT officials, the common factor among both incidents is "people … putting themselves on the line to protect travelers and employees in the work zone."

“We are tremendously saddened," ODOT Director Matthew Garrett said in a statement released Thursday. "My thoughts today are with our fallen and injured workers and their families. It is a sad reminder that safety should be our first priority on the road whether driving or working on it. Let’s make sure we all get home safe!"

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Garrett offered the following tips to ensure drivers and workers stay safe on the road in work areas:

• Pay complete attention, especially in the transition zone before the work area. An inattentive driver is the most common cause of work zone crashes.
• Orange is your clue! Pay attention when you see orange signs, barrels, cones and barricades.
• Obey all speed signs, because speed may be reduced for your safety and the safety of workers.
• Remember, work zone traffic lanes often are narrow, without shoulders or emergency lanes.
• When possible, move over to give workers more room between them and your vehicle.
• Expect delays — plan for them and leave early so you can drive safely through the work zone.
• Know before you go! Call 511 or visit www.TripCheck.com to check routes, work zones and road and weather conditions before you head out.

Images via Oregon State Police, Oregon Department of Transportation, Umatilla County Sheriff's Office