A construction worker was killed Wednesday afternoon after being struck by a vehicle while directing traffic in an Auglaize County work zone.
According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Wapakoneta Post, the crash happened around 3:34 p.m. on U.S. Route 33, just east of State Route 65 South in Clay Township.
Investigators said a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee, driven by Tyler Joseph, 35, of West Liberty, was traveling eastbound on U.S. 33 when it struck Troy Ray, 58, of Clyde, who was working as a flagger in the eastbound lane of the construction zone.
Ray suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. He was transported to Eley Funeral Home in Wapakoneta.
Joseph was wearing a seat belt and was not injured.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol said alcohol and drugs are not believed to have been factors in the crash. The Auglaize County Sheriff’s Office, Ohio Department of Transportation, St. Johns Fire and EMS, the Auglaize County Coroner’s Office, and other agencies assisted at the scene.
The crash remains under investigation by the Wapakoneta Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
