LAKE COUNTY, OHIO, Ohio — Authorities say two truck operators and a police patrol car were struck by a vehicle while working at the scene of a crash Thursday night, which resulted in the hours-long closure of I-90 West in Lake County.
The situation started around 7:52 p.m. when troopers from the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Chardon Post were at the scene of a commercial vehicle crash along I-90 near milepost 207 in Madison Township.
During the investigation of the incident, multiple crews – including the towing personnel – were positioned on scene.
“A marked patrol car was parked off the right side of the roadway on the berm, outside of the traffic lanes, with its emergency lights activated,” according to a press release from the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
That’s when OSHP says a secondary crash occurred involving a 2022 Dodge Charger driven by a 32-year-old Euclid man who “lost control while passing the crash site.”
“The vehicle traveled off the north side of the roadway and struck the parked patrol car, which was occupied by two troopers,” according to OSHP. “At the time of the impact, two tow truck operators – who were wearing reflective gear – were standing at the trooper’s driver-side door.”
Both of the workers were struck and taken to the hospital.
Here’s what we know about their injuries:
39-year-old man from Concord Township: Sustained serious injuries.
37-year-old man from Chardon: Sustained minor injuries.
The two troopers inside the patrol vehicle were not hurt.
“Due to the severity of the secondary crash and the need for emergency response, Interstate 90 was temporarily shut down while personnel worked to treat the injured and clear the scene,” according to OSHP. “Alcohol and drug impairment do not appear to be contributing factors.”
The roadway reopened early Friday morning.
The crash remains under investigation.