A construction worker was rushed to the hospital after being struck in the 9100 block of State Route 201.  

According to initial reports, a black pickup truck was northbound on Rt. 201 approaching a construction zone where workers were laying blacktop on a driveway. Since they were working right up to the highway, one lane was closed and a flagman was directing traffic. The pickup driver apparently was distracted and struck the flagman. 

A co-worker said “the guy didn’t even slow down – he just hit him.” We asked if the victim was OK, and the co-worker said, “No, he’s not OK.” 

He was transported by Bethel (Miami) Medics and the seriousness of his injuries were not known at press time. 

In a related incident, the driver of a Honda Element was southbound on Rt 201, but the road was blocked at the scene of the previous incident. 

She said she turned around and headed north on Rt. 201. Just before Big Mike’s, she apparently was distracted and didn’t see that traffic ahead of her was stopped. She rear-ended a Dodge Charger. 

The driver of the Element was cited for Assured Clear Distance. 

The incident involving the construction worker remains under investigation by the Miami County Sheriff’s Department, and no charges had been filed as of press time.