One flagger killed, 2nd injured in work-zone crashes
(Update: Another work-zone crash injures flagger near Monmouth)
A 76-year-old Milton-Freewater man faces manslaughter, DUII, hit-and-run and other charges in a crash Tuesday night in a northeast Oregon repaving project construction zone that killed a highway flagger, Oregon State Police said Wednesday.
Leman Bledsoe was arrested in the crash that occurred around 8:40 p.m. Tuesday on state Highway 11 at milepost 16 near Athena, OSP Captain Tim Fox said.
A preliminary investigation indicates the construction zone flagger, Tyresa Monaghan, 49, of Kennewick, Wash., had a vehicle stopped when Bledsoe’s silver 2005 Chrysler minivan side-swiped the stopped vehicle and struck Monaghan. She sustained fatal injuries and died at the scene, Fox said.
Bledsoe continued on for about a mile in the construction zone, endangering numerous other workers, the OSP captain said.
Bledsoe was taken by ambulance to St. Anthony Hospital in Pendleton, and was taken after custody after he was treated and released, Fox said.
He was booked into the Umatilla County Jail on charges of first-degree manslaughter, DUII-alcohol, hit-and-run injury and property damage, reckless endangerment of a highway worker, reckless endangering and reckless driving. He remained held early Thursday on $790,000 bail.
The crash and investigation closed Highway 11 for about 4 1/2 hours. OSP were assisted by ODOT, the Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office, Medic 400 and East Umatilla County Fire, Fox said.
A second flagger was seriously injured in a construction zone crash south of Monmouth Wednesday night.
The common factor – people are putting themselves on the line to protect travelers and employees in the work zone, ODOT said in a news release Thursday.
At 9 p.m. Wednesday, a work zone flagger on OR 99W was hit and seriously injured eight miles south of Monmouth.
ODOT Director Matthew Garrett said, “We are tremendously saddened. 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!”
Work on the OR 99W: Monmouth to Lewisburg paving preservation project was suspended for the night after the crash. The pavement had been ground down in preparation for paving before the crash occurred.
ODOT said travelers in the area should expect rough roads Thursday and travel carefully. Crews will return Thursday night with additional flaggers and message boards to remind people to slow down, pay complete attention and watch for crew members.
The project began July 15. Crews have been working five nights a week, 6:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday. Flaggers and pilot cars are being used to control traffic. The work is scheduled to be completed in September.
Please travel safely in work zones
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.
