Turnpike snowplow driver fired

SANDUSKY — The snowplow driver who sent a spray of ice and debris over the turnpike median last month was fired for what the Turnpike Commission is calling an "egregious" accident. The snowplow driver, a 54-year-old Berea resident, was caught on video showering oncoming lanes of turnpike traffic in slush as he plowed the shoulder of the westbound lane. The incident happened Jan. 23 at mile post 117, near the U.S. 250 interchange in Sandusky. The incident left 18 people injured and damaged 55 cars. According to a news release issued Tuesday by the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission, the driver has lost his job for "engaging in grossly negligent behavior." The commission cited a clause that allows for immediate termination without prior warning for "the most serious offenses." "This was an isolated incident involving a single snowplow operator," said Ohio Turnpike Commission Executive Director Ferzan Ahmed. "It is not representative of our employees or our operations." The majority of injuries reported were minor, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol. The patrol's Milan post commander, Lt. Brett Gockstetter, said the most serious injuries were facial lacerations and a broken nose. The Turnpike Commission said that as of Tuesday, 51 people have filed property damage claims associated with the incident. The incident is being investigated by the Ohio State Highway Patrol, and the preliminary crash reports were sent to the Erie County prosecutor's office to determine if criminal charges will be pursued against the driver.