MEC&F Expert Engineers : 10/02/17

Monday, October 2, 2017

Drunk driver Edward Torres, 30, of South Solon, Ohio is facing aggravated vehicular homicide after he hit two road workers in the construction zone on I-70 eastbound in Columbus, OH, killing Steve Cook, 59, of Barnesville, Ohio.






Updated: 10/02/17 07:41 am EDT

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Interstate 70 was shut down for several hours on the west side Saturday morning because a construction worker was struck.

It happened around 1:35 a.m. The interstate was closed between Route 142 in Madison County and Interstate 270. It reopened at 9 am.

Edward Torres, 30 of South Charleston, Ohio was driving a 2009 Honda Odyssey eastbound on I-70 when he drove through construction barrels that barricaded three right-hand lanes that were closed.

Torres continued on the closed section of the roadway where he struck Steve Cook, 59 of Barnesville, Ohio. Cook was taken to Grant Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

Columbus Police have determined Torres was driving under the influence of alcohol and have arrested him.

ODOT said Cook was a contractor who worked for a local paving company. Cook was scheduled overnight to pave several of the Interstate 70 eastbound lanes.

ODOT confirmed another construction worker suffered minor injuries.

Officers said the Torres did stay at the scene.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio — A driver is facing aggravated vehicular homicide and other charges after two construction workers were hit overnight Saturday on I-70 eastbound in Columbus.

Columbus Police say Edward Torres, 30, of South Solon, Ohio was driving eastbound around 1:30AM when he hit the workers in the construction zone at Hilliard-Rome Road. Police say Torres drove through a construction barrels barricade onto three closed lanes. That's where Steven Cook, 59, and a second worker were hit.

Both were rushed to Grant Medical Center. Cook died from his injuries, authorities say the second victim was treated for minor injuries.


Torres was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash, according to police. He was arrested at the scene, and is scheduled to appear in court Monday, October 2nd.


ODOT Columbus confirms to ABC6/FOX28 that the victim was not an ODOT worker. 




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COLUMBUS, OH (WCMH) — One person has died after a vehicle struck two construction workers on Interstate 70 east on the west side of Columbus.

It happened around 1:35am in the construction zone on I-70 east at Hilliard-Rome Road. According to Columbus Police, Edward Torres, 30, of South Charleston, Ohio was driving a Honda Odessy east on I-70 when he drove through the barrel barricade that closed off the three right-hand lanes of I-70 to traffic. Torres continued driving on the closed section of the roadway and struck two construction workers, one of whom died from his injuries.

Police identified the deceased victim as Steve Cook, 59, of Barnesville, Ohio.

Cook was transported to Grant Medical Center in Columbus where he was pronounced dead around 2:18am. According to police, Torres was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash. He has been taken into custody. According to court records, Torres has been charged with aggravated vehicular homicide.

The second construction worker has not been identified, but police say he suffered minor injuries and is expected to recover.