Early this morning, two City of Cleveland Water Department workers were struck by a vehicle while on duty fixing a water main break at the intersection of S. Miles Road and Langly Avenue, according to a report by Cleveland19. A distressing scene emerged as a 55-year-old worker sustained critical injuries, and a 21-year-old was left with minor injuries. The older victim was transported to University Hospitals in critical condition, while the younger man was also taken there and expected to recover.
The hit-and-run incident occurred around 2 a.m., where an SUV driver reportedly plowed into a coned-off workspace, hitting the two men. The driver then fled the scene, leaving behind the injured employees and a disturbed sense of safety in the community. Cleveland EMS was quick on the scene, providing necessary medical attention to the victims. "The safety and well-being of our employees is our top priority. We continue to urge drivers to remain alert, slow down, and follow all posted signs when approaching work zones," said Danielle Miklos, a spokesperson for the water department, in a statement obtained by FOX8 News.
However, the story took a turn towards resolution when Cleveland Police, with the support of the Real Time Crime Center, managed to locate the vehicle and the 61-year-old driver in Maple Heights shortly before 3 a.m. The man was arrested, with charges pending against him, as relayed by Cleveland Police Sgt. Wilfredo Diaz in an interview with Cleveland19. The suspected SUV involved was later found on Clare Avenue in Maple Heights, and footage showed an arrest made by police, as per News 5 Cleveland.
The vehicle, described as a black Chevy Equinox SUV by News 5 Cleveland, exhibited clear signs of involvement in the accident with a shattered window, a hanging bumper, and a dented hood. The search and towing of this vehicle pointed to an overlooked aspect of labor in service of the public — the perils faced by everyday city workers accomplishing their jobs in the quiet of the night. "An SUV drove into the coned-off work zone, hitting two crew members and injuring both," confirmed Cleveland Water in a statement obtained by FOX8 News, reiterating their commitment to employee safety and echoing a plea for vigilance in the work zones.
