Maryland Report Points Finger at State Highway Administration for Fatal Crash Due to Inadequate Traffic Signs
In a shocking turn of events, a recent report by Maryland Occupational Safety and Health Act (MOSH) has held the State Highway Administration responsible for serious violations that contributed to a fatal crash on I-695, leading to the deaths of six highway workers earlier this year. The report specifically cites a lack of legible traffic control signs near the work zone as a crucial factor in the tragic accident.
MOSH, a part of the Maryland Department of Labor, conducted a thorough investigation into the crash and concluded that the State Highway Administration had failed in its responsibility to place clear and readable traffic control signs at critical points in the work area to warn drivers about potential hazards they may encounter on the road.
The report further highlighted that the signs were not posted in advance of the openings of the work zone’s concrete barrier near Woodlawn, which would have alerted drivers that construction vehicles would be entering and exiting the area. This failure exposed the highway workers to dangerous struck-by hazards.
However, the State Highway Administration firmly stated that even if the signs had been in place, they would not have been able to prevent the crash that claimed the lives of the six workers. They emphasized that the accident did not involve a construction vehicle, and therefore the signs would not have been able to avert the tragedy. Consequently, the agency has no intentions of appealing or contesting the citation issued by MOSH.
Although there are no penalties directly associated with the citation, the two drivers involved in the crash have been charged. Melachi Brown, who was allegedly driving at a staggering speed of 121 mph, had his car clipped by Lisa Lea, who was attempting to change lanes. Lea’s car then careened into the work zone, colliding with the highway workers. Prosecutors revealed that Lea was traveling at 108 mph at the time of the crash.
Both suspects are now facing over 50 charges and are scheduled to be tried together in court this December. If convicted on all counts, they could each receive sentences of more than 70 years in prison.
The devastating incident prompted Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller to establish a work zone safety work group, with the aim of devising strategies to enhance safety measures. Recommendations put forward by the group include the installation of speed cameras at work sites, higher fines for drivers who speed through work zones, and the integration of modern technology to enhance the visibility of workers to motorists.
The loss of the six contractual workers, namely Rolando Ruiz, Carlos Orlando Villatoro Escobar, Jose Armando Escobar, Mahlon Simmons III, Mahlon Simmons II, and Sybil Lee Dimaggio, has not only left their families grieving but has also raised serious concerns about the safety precautions implemented in work zones.
As investigations continue and trials approach, it is crucial that authorities and stakeholders work together to implement effective measures that prioritize the safety of both highway workers and drivers. Only through concerted efforts and a collective commitment to improving road safety can we hope to avoid tragedies like this in the future.
