Semi truck hits ITD truck and almost hits crew members

BANNOCK COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) - A semi truck hit a pick up truck and almost ran over Idaho Transportation Department crew members.

The crew members were on the Portneuf Forever Bridge in Bannock County getting ready to patch potholes. A semi truck did not move over as the crews’ signs directed. It ran into the back of one of ITD’s pick up trucks while driving at highway speed. Fortunately, the crew members were able to jump over the guardrail and were not hit.

“Our crew did everything right,” ITD Public Information Officer Justin Smith said. “They had the emergency lights on. They had the arrow board up.”

ITD currently does not know if the semi truck driver was reprimanded or if the company he was driving for is aware of the incident.

The department stresses the importance of engaged driving, limiting distractions and driving for the conditions at hand.

“We’re out there day and night and we're out there trying to provide a public service. [People] just need to…think about how fast they are going,” foreman over maintenance Anthony Richards said.

Smith says ITD sees a lot of road incidents involving snow plows during the winter.

“We see people who try to pass the snowplow on the right. We see people who try to get past the snowplow, get in front of them, lose control. We're seeing generally fewer people being aware of what they're doing on the road.”

Smith says ITD wants people to understand its crews are out on the roads.

“They're your family, your friends, your neighbors, and we want them to come home safe,” he said.

This incident could have been much worse. It reminds people to pay attention to the signs and flashing lights crews use to alert drivers of who and what is ahead on the roads. If you see them, you need to slow down and move aside.