What was supposed to be a routine early-morning cleanup on Interstate 84 turned sideways on July 16, when a Hood River driver allegedly rolled through a closed off-ramp and made contact with two Oregon Department of Transportation workers, officials said.
The eastbound Exit 64 off-ramp had been shut down overnight so crews could remove an overturned commercial truck's heavy cargo and deal with a fuel spill. The vehicle that entered the closure allegedly brushed two workers while they were on the job. Neither was seriously hurt, and cleanup crews stayed on scene to keep the area secure while work continued, according to officials.
What Happened On I-84
The Oregon Department of Transportation says the trouble started around 2:20 a.m., when a commercial truck overturned on eastbound I-84 near Exit 64. Part of its load and fuel spilled, and large paper rolls ended up on the ramp.
Crews closed the eastbound off-ramp so they could safely remove 3,500-pound paper rolls from the trailer and give hazmat teams room to clean up the fuel spill. ODOT officials say the driver who rolled into that closure not only put the crew at risk but also endangered himself.
The agency used the close call as a reminder that drivers are required to move over and slow down when people are working on the road or shoulder, according to the Oregon Department of Transportation.
Arrest And Charges
Oregon State Police said troopers later tracked down the vehicle and arrested a 43-year-old Hood River man, identified as Gregory Adam Polanski, shortly before 6 p.m. the same day. He was booked into the Northern Oregon Regional Correctional Facility on counts that include reckless driving, two counts of recklessly endangering another person, and recklessly endangering highway workers, as reported by KPTV.
According to Oregon State Police, the driver entered the closed ramp after telling workers he needed to use that exit to get to his job. Investigators say the vehicle then made contact with two ODOT employees and left the scene. The workers did not require medical treatment, but one crew member reported that a driver's-side mirror folded back after the contact.
Driver Disputes The Allegations
Polanski told Columbia Community Connection that he flatly rejects the claim he hit anyone.
He said the closure layout was confusing and that he believed there was an opening between parked police vehicles that allowed him to exit. "Absolutely not. I did not hit anyone," he told the outlet, adding that he plans to fight the allegations in court.
His account conflicts with statements from the ODOT crew, who told investigators that the vehicle made contact and that a driver's-side mirror snapped back after the impact.
Why Crews Close Ramps
ODOT said the Exit 64 closure was not optional. Crews needed the space to remove the truck's heavy cargo and to keep highway workers out of harm's way while hazmat teams addressed the spilled fuel.
The agency used the incident as yet another cautionary tale about how vulnerable road crews are when drivers ignore signs and cones. Officials again urged motorists to move over, slow down, and obey traffic control devices and directions from people working along the roadway, according to the Oregon Department of Transportation.
ODOT described the episode as a harrowing reminder of the risks its workers face every time they step onto a live highway.
Legal Implications
Booking records for Oregon State Police list charges that include recklessly endangering highway workers, an offense the Oregon Legislature defines as a Class A misdemeanor in ORS 811.231. Reckless driving under ORS 811.140 is also a Class A misdemeanor, according to the Oregon Legislature.
Under Oregon law, a Class A misdemeanor can bring up to 364 days in jail and fines set by statute, and lawmakers have also authorized the suspension of driving privileges in some circumstances, per the Oregon Legislature.
The charges remain allegations, and the case will ultimately be decided in court, as reported by KPTV.
ODOT credited the crew's quick response and the follow-up hazmat cleanup with preventing a bad situation from getting worse and allowing the ramp to reopen once the scene was secured. Authorities say they will keep hammering home the message to obey closures, speed limits, and directions from roadside workers so crews can do their jobs safely.
