Semi Strikes ODOT Vehicle on I-75 in Lima

An employee with the Ohio Department of Transportation escaped with minor injuries after his vehicle was struck by a semi early this morning on Interstate 75 in Lima.

According to a release from the Lima Post of the Ohio State Highway patrol, 32 year old Caleb Varhees, of Cridersville, was parked on the east shoulder of I75 with emergency lights and an arrow board activated, when the semi crossed the edge line and struck the ODOT vehicle.

The semi, being driven by 40 year old Matthew Fought, of Lima, ended up off the left side of the road and became disabled in the median.

Varhees was transported to St. Rita’s Medical Center with minor injuries.

The right lane of 75 was shut down for around an hour and twenty minutes, and the left lane for an additional twenty minutes.

The Ohio State Patrol reminds motorists that it is state law to move over or slow down for stationary public safety vehicles with lights activated.