Construction Worker Ejected After Car Slams into Trailer on I-80 Bridge

Joanne Bauer

Joanne Bauer

Published July 19, 2014 3:00 pm
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CLARION COUNTY, Pa. (EYT) — According to Clarion-based State Police, a construction worker was ejected from a trailer located in a work zone on Interstate 80 westbound at the 60.9 mile marker, on the Clarion River Bridge, in Paint Township, Clarion County.

Police say this crash occurred as 83-year-old Mary J. Britton, of Falls Creek, was traveling west on I-80 at the Clarion River Bridge and failed to obey the traffic control devices channeling traffic into the left lane; subsequently, she ran over delineators and entered a lane closed for bridge construction.

Her 1999 Chevrolet S-10 Blazer struck the temporary construction barrier continuing west, and then struck a 2001 Mercury Grand Marquis in the rear which was parked on the bridge, subsequently injuring an occupant within the parked vehicle — 24-year-old Ezekiel L. Painter, of Okeechobee, Florida.

The Mercury, in turn, was pushed into a 1997 Chevrolet Malibu which was also parked on the bridge.

In turn, the Chevrolet Malibu was pushed into a construction trailer causing a construction worker in the trailer — 23-year-old Kenneth A. Gales, of Hubbard, Ohio — to be ejected.

Gales suffered minor injuries.

Painter was using a seat belt and suffered moderate injuries.

He was transported by ambulance to the Clarion Hospital.

Britton and a passenger, 81-year-old Sarah Jones, also of Falls Creek, suffered moderate injuries.

They were transported by ambulance to Clarion Hospital.

Both were using seat belts.

Britton was charged with a traffic violation.

Clarion Volunteer Fire Department assisted at the scene.

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