Kate Ryan, wtop.com
WASHINGTON – Montgomery County police say a utility worker was seriously injured after a passing Ride On bus hit a construction barrel and knocked him into a 16-foot-deep trench at a Gaithersburg construction site.
The incident happened at the intersection of Washington Grove Lane and Midcounty Highway. Police say the unidentified man was taken to the hospital with serious but not life-threatening injuries.
Police are investigating the traffic-related issues, and officials from Maryland’s Occupational Health and Safety Administration are taking a look at the trench and the construction site.
It is not clear whether the Ride On bus driver will be cited. The case remains under investigation.
Police in Montgomery County have issued a number of safety tips and reminders, citing a spike in pedestrian-related collisions in a three-day period: 12 pedestrians were involved in collisions between Dec. 6 and Dec. 9. Two of those collisions ended in fatalities.
This year in Montgomery County, there have been 369 collisions involving pedestrians — nine of which have been fatal. Overall, there have been 24 traffic fatalities in Montgomery County so far this year.
Police have issued the following advice:
Motorists:
- Slow down and watch for pedestrians.
- Be aware that pedestrians can be virtually invisible at night or in bad weather.
- Obey traffic signals and devices.
- Yield to pedestrians in marked crosswalks and at intersections.
- Realize that in any collision between a car and a pedestrian, it is the pedestrian who will bear the brunt of the impact regardless of who is at fault.
Pedestrians:
- Remain alert and do not assume drivers can see you.
- Do not expect drivers to see you and react in time.
- Use crosswalks where available and avoid walking in the streets.
- Before stepping off the curb, look left and right.
- Wear bright or reflective clothing and outerwear at dusk and at night.
- Wear clothing that does not restrict or impair your vision.
- Refrain from cellphone use while walking and crossing streets.
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(Copyright 2011 by WTOP. All rights reserved.)
