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Last updated on Wednesday, September 19, 2012
(PUTNAM COUNTY) - An Indiana Department of Transportation worker and single father of two was killed Tuesday after he was struck by a vehicle in Putnam County.
Fox59 reports family members said 27-year-old Steven Overbay was a single dad who adored his two daughters, 5 and 4. He was working for INDOT to support his children as he took classes to become a photographer.
Emergency crews responded to U.S. 36 and 600W at approximately 10:18 a.m.
According to preliminary investigation, approximately a dozen INDOT workers were clearing gravel from the side of the road.
Indiana State Police said Overbay was directing eastbound traffic when a 2006 Toyota Matrix failed to stop and veered to the right in an attempt to avoid a rear-end collision.
Police said the truck, driven by 79-year-old Cleve Scott, struck Overbay, propelling him onto the hood and partially through the windshield.
Overbay was standing on the south side of the roadway near the grass and not in the travel portion of the roadway, said police.
Scott was transported to Methodist Hospital for an arm fracture and lacerations. Scott's sister was also in the vehicle at the time of the crash.
Investigators determined there were five signs displayed in the area by INDOT to warn oncoming traffic of the flagman and construction. They said Overbay was also wearing his required high visibility reflective vest at the time of the crash.
Under Indiana law, a person who recklessly fails to obey a traffic control device or flagman in the immediate vicinity of a highway work zone when workers are present, commits a Class A misdemeanor. However, if the offense results in the death of a worker at a work site, it is a Class C felony, punishable by imprisonment of two to eight years and a maximum fine of $10,000.
ISP said a report will be submitted to the Putnam County Prosecutor's Office to determine any potential charges.
Last year, there were 13 fatal crashes in work zones throughout the state.
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