Inspection Detail

Inspection: 124724626 - Oregon Department Of Transportation

Inspection Information - Office: Or-E-Portland - Safety 1 1054111

Investigation Summary

At 11:55 a.m. on February 11, 1996, Employee #1, of the Oregon DOT, a coworker, and two National Guardsmen were assigned to flag traffic throughout the night around a mudslide located one-half mile east of Rainier. Employee #1 was standing next to the centerline when a motorist traveling east disregarded the three traffic signs, the lighted flaggers' station, and the stop paddle that Employee #1 was holding. When Employee #1 decided that the car was not going to stop, he started to run across the westbound lane just as the driver swerved in that direction. The motorist struck Employee #1, throwing him 75 feet down the road. He landed under the guardrail, possibly striking it as he fell, and sustained head injuries, a double broken leg, and a broken arm. Because of an efficient radio system, paramedics were on the scene in approximately three minutes. Employee #1 was transported to OSHU Hospital in Portland. State police were also on the scene and conducted an investigation.

Keywords: FRACTURE, HEAD, HIGHWAY, TRAFFIC ACCIDENT, CONSTRUCTION, FLAGMAN, STRUCK BY, ARM, MOTOR VEHICLE, LEG