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ODOT employees react following crash that sent colleague to hospital

An ODOT employee was sent to the hospital late Wednesday night after being involved in a collision on I-480 in Brooklyn.

CLEVELAND — A 22-year veteran of the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) tells 3News that he always tells his loved ones he cares about them before leaving for work, following a crash that sent an ODOT employee to the hospital on Wednesday.

Jamie Hall has been with ODOT for 22 years, working various shifts throughout his career, including the night shift. 3News spoke with Hall Thursday following the collision late Wednesday night that sent an ODOT employee to the hospital.

"I try to make sure I always, you know, tell our loved ones that I love them," says Hall.

Dramatic video of the crash Wednesday night shows several members of the crew working along I-480 in Brooklyn. An SUV crashed into the device attached to the back of ODOT trucks, also known as a Truck Mounted Attenuator. The device is used to cushion collisions if they occur.

Hall says the devices are life savers, and are a big part of the safety procedures ODOT uses while working along freeways.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol tells 3News that Cuyahoga County has had the most distracted driving crashes in the last five years. Nearly 6,000 crashes have been the result of distracted driving, according to Sgt. Purpura.

Sgt. Purpura says the law requires drivers to either move over or slow down while passing first responders, ODOT employees, or tow truck operators with their lights activated.

"By doing just your part behind the wheel, not distracted driving, obeying the traffic laws, that just in turn will help keep yourself safe and everybody else out there safe," says Sgt. Purpura.

*Editor's Note: The video in the player above is from a previous report.

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