After reportedly hitting a construction worker twice with his car during a road rage episode, a 61-year-old driver in Ohio faces several serious charges.
This was one of the most disturbing events that happened again and brought construction zone safety into sharp focus.
The incident in Oregon, Ohio is a sobering reminder of how exposed road crews may be when careless drivers disregard safety warnings and fundamental traffic laws.
Frustration is more dangerous behaviour
Kenneth Shinaver, the motorist, apparently lost patience as he approached a construction zone close to an intersection in northern Ohio.
Police documents and eyewitness reports state that Shinaver was trying to get around a line of stopped automobiles while blaring his horn loudly.
In order to keep Shinaver from going into the lane reserved for approaching cars, the construction worker, who at the moment was directing the heavy equipment and other traffic and holding a stop sign, moved into the road.
What happened after was more disturbing. Shinaver allegedly hit the employee with his 2020 Chevrolet Equinox instead of stopping.
He then allegedly struck the guy once more before driving away, in what appears to be more of an attack than an accident.
Fortunately, the worker was unharmed, but the incident could have easily ended in death.
This scene is extremely harsh and horrible to even think about it.
Heated argument happened later
Before leaving the scene, Shinaver reportedly threw curses at the construction worker, as if the physical violence wasn’t enough.
A traffic infraction became a far more serious criminal case as a result of this escalation. Shinaver was apprehended shortly after police were bidden to an apartment complex near the jobsite in response to a report of a disruptive driver.
Even when there are no physical injuries, incidents like these can have a long-lasting emotional impact on employees especially on the construction workers.
Nobody should have to be targeted while merely attempting to carry out their job in a safe manner, particularly in a field where risks are present on a daily basis.
What charges were imposed?
Shinaver is facing several charges as a result of the aftermath of this incident. Criminal assault, a second-degree offence that reflects the severe nature of the incident, is one of the most serious charges.
In addition, he is charged with two other offences for driving while intoxicated, one of which is more serious because it was committed within the last 20 years.
Shinaver has also been charged with misbehaviors of resisting arrest and disrupting government business.
These additional accusations imply that his actions after the first incident escalated the situation further, making it more challenging for law officers to perform their duties in a safe and efficient manner.
Safety in the workplace should never be optional
Drivers who disregard construction zone regulations and put workers’ lives in danger are an increasing national concern, as this event demonstrates.
It should be obvious that caution is needed when traffic control signs, cones, and flaggers are present, but sadly, this isn’t always the case.
Too many drivers still view work zones as irritations rather than dangerous places that require patience and accountability.
Events like these serve as a clear warning to construction workers of the ongoing danger posed by careless or hostile drivers. These employees keep our roads safe and in good working order every day, frequently in harsh weather.
They should be able to perform their duties without worrying about getting hurt.
At my equipment, we always promote construction work zone safety and ensure safe and sound equipment delivery to our customers. We are a Houston-based used heavy equipment dealer and deal with quality equipment from leading brands. Before delivering the equipment, we make sure the quality is up to the mark.

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