UPDATE 1/5/12 @ 4 p.m.
SCIOTO COUNTY, Ohio (WSAZ) -- Ask road workers, tow truck drivers or first responders what scares them the most about the jobs -- many agree that distracted drivers are accidents waiting to happen.
National traffic safety numbers show there are about 6,000 deaths a year from distracted driving. They say that drivers using a hand-held device are four times as likely to crash. And nearly one fifth of all fatal crashes with drivers under 20 years of age -- involve distracted driving.
“He said he looked down to get a pop can out of the floorboard," said Trooper Richendollar. "If you take your eyes off the road for a few seconds -- this is what can happen.”
Ohio Highway Patrol Troopers say not a cell phone -- but a pop can distracted Christopher Altman.
They say the 28-year-old, from South Shore, Ky., was driving on U.S. 52 in Franklin Furnace when he hit the orange signed, flashing light ODOT warning truck that was trailing a debris sweeper. A crash that seriously injured the ODOT driver, 49-year-old Angie Erwin.
In talking to the responders on the scene, a tow truck driver and the injured ODOT workers partner -- the all said distracted drivers are a constant threat to their lives.
“They don’t pay any attention to what they are doing," said ODOT worker Andrew Breech. "I've had some close calls and been in several near misses.”
“It's very scary when you put your life in their hands -- very scary,” said tow truck driver Brian McAllister.
WSAZ.com asked some of the hundreds of drivers held up for an hour by the mid-morning accident about distracted drivers. Many agreed: fine them first, then take their license away for a second offense -- and make it lifetime for a third.
Troopers say Christopher Altman may face charges for not keeping an assured clear distance from the ODOT truck.
Troopers say neither injury was life threatening.
Other driving distractions that troopers warn about are: eating and drinking, grooming, reading, watching a video and using a GPS.
According to the Ohio Highway Patrol, Angela Erwin, 48, of Franklin Furnace, is the Ohio Department of Transportation worker that was hurt in the accident.
Christopher Altman, 27, of South Shore, Ky., was driving the van that hit Erwin's truck.
Erwin's injuries are considered serious, but not considered life-threatening.
Troopers say Altman was reaching down for a soda can when he veered and hit the signal truck.
Charges could possibly be filed against Altman.
Traffic is still shutdown in the westbound lanes of U.S. 52.
Keep clicking on WSAZ.com for the latest information.
According to our crew on the scene, pavement sweeping work was being done on U.S. 52 in Scioto County when a man driving a van hit one of the state vehicles.
Ohio Highway Patrol tells WSAZ.com that the driver of the van was reaching down for a soda can when he veered and hit the Ohio Department of Transportation signal truck.
Traffic is backed up on U.S. 52 just east of the Greenup Dam as crews try to clear the scene. At this time both westbound lanes of U.S. 52 are shutdown.
The female driver of the state vehicle was hurt and taken to a local hospital.
She was driving a vehicle behind the pavement sweeper urging drivers to slow down and be careful of the slow tractor ahead of her.
The driver of the van was also injured. Neither of the drivers received life-threatening injuries.
We have a crew on the scene. Keep clicking on WSAZ.com for the latest information.
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