Steve Lafferty recalls an accident he endured in 2002 when working as a highway technician during National Work Zone Awareness Week.
LIMA — More than 20 years ago, Steve Lafferty worked as a highway technician for the Ohio Department of Transportation. On April 11 in 2002, much of that changed. While working on the roadways, Lafferty was hit by a truck just half an hour before his shift was ending.
Many workers have stories just like Lafferty’s. National Work Zone Awareness Week is an annual campaign to encourage the safety of those who work on the roadways. During Lafferty’s shift on April 11, news media was at the scene covering the annual awareness week just moments before his accident.
“Too many of these work zone crashes are the result of drivers not paying attention, speeding, or following the vehicle in front of them too closely,” said ODOT Director Jack Marchbanks in a recent press release. “It is imperative that drivers give extra attention to the road in work zones and obey the speed limits and other signs so that everyone makes it home safe at the end of the day.”
Lafferty said he does not remember much of the accident but remembers waking up in the emergency room. He suffered multiple injuries, including a pelvic fracture, and was not sure if he would ever walk again. The technician was life-flighted to Toldeo and spent 14 days in the hospital. He received multiple surgeries to repair his injuries and time in rehabilitation.
Lafferty said following his accident he spent around five years wondering why this accident occurred. Multiple times since the accident, Lafferty said God used it to save his life.
In 2002, while in the hospital recovering, Lafferty received a call that there was a gas leak in his home.
“The gas company said if anybody would have been in the house they probably would have been dead,” said Lafferty. “It was a small little miracle. Just one of those things you can’t explain. You want to know why things happen to you but you don’t know the whole picture.
“It made me a better person,” said Lafferty. “It was one of those things that you would never want to go through it but once you reach the other side you are thankful. I’m thankful for the things God has done for me; it is truly a blessing.”
Lafferty said although he no longer is able to work as a technician, he truly enjoyed his job. He also said work zones should not be considered an inconvenience while traveling but a necessity.
“If you want good roads, you have to go through work zones,” said Lafferty. “You have to deal with that and treat them with respect. The men and women that are there just want to go home to their families, kids, grandchildren and spouse. Give them that opportunity.”
Reach Precious Grundy at 567-242-0351.
