26-year-old Jacqueline Ohly died as she was preparing to install guide rail wires as a contracted worker for PennDOT. The driver left the scene but was later identified as 19-year-old Eric West, of Erie. Police are alleging that West was over the legal limit for alcohol when he crashed into Ohly in a 2010 Buick. Police believe he left the scene despite heavy damage to the vehicle and traveled toward Corry before being apprehended
Construction worker killed by drunken hit-and-run driver
Updated: August 22, 2018 07:01 AM CDT
HARBORCREEK, Pa. -
Authorities say a man was driving drunk when he struck and killed a Wisconsin woman who was working at a construction site in western Pennsylvania.
Jacqueline Ohly was helping to install cable guide rails along Interstate 90 in Harborcreek when she was struck around 7:30 a.m. Tuesday. The 26-year-old Stevens Point resident was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later.
An autopsy determined that she died from multiple blunt-force trauma.
Authorities say the driver, 19-year-old Erie resident Eric West, fled the scene but was captured about 30 minutes later in Cory.
West faces several charges, including involuntary manslaughter and homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence. He was being held without bond, and It wasn't known Wednesday if he's retained an attorney.
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By Tim Hahn
August 22, 2018
The woman was working on a construction project when she was hit by a vehicle and killed Tuesday morning.
A 19-year-old Erie man was charged with involuntary manslaughter and homicide by vehicle while driving drunk in the death of a female construction worker along Interstate 90 in Harborcreek Township Tuesday morning.
The driver, Eric M. West, was taken into custody after authorities stopped him along Route 89 in an area of Erie County covered by state police in Corry on Tuesday morning, according to state police. He was apprehended about a half-hour after state police issued an alert to law enforcement agencies in the Erie region to be on the lookout for the suspected hitting vehicle, which was described by witnesses as a tan Buick LeSabre.
The alert was issued roughly 30 minutes after the accident was reported at about 7:30 a.m. Tuesday on I-90 eastbound near Exit 35, the Harborcreek exit. Authorities reported that a pedestrian had been struck, and the pedestrian was on the roadway and was not breathing. The first emergency crews to arrive on scene reported that the pedestrian was deceased.
Erie County Coroner Lyell Cook identified the pedestrian as Jacqueline Ohly, 26, of Stevens Point, Wisconsin. She was pronounced dead at the scene at 8:23 a.m., Cook said.
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Guide Rail Safety Work Suspended After Contractor Killed By Hit and Run Driver
Contractor killed by hit and run driver while working on safety guide rail project on Interstate 90 for Penndot
Tuesday, August 21st 2018
State Police have arrested Eric Matthew West, 19 of Erie and charged him in a homicide by vehicle case. They also suspect he was driving under the influence when he hit and killed a young construction worker on Interstate 90 in Harborcreek Township Tuesday morning.
According to investigators, Jacqueline Ohly, 26 of Stevens Point, Wisconsin, was working with her father on a project to install cable barriers on the median side of the interstate. Penndot District One Acting Press Official Jill Harry said they are mourning the loss. "You know, even though it wasn’t one of our employees, it was still part of our Penndot family," Harry said, "so you know everyone is kind of taken back and it really puts a spotlight on the importance that everyone places on safety."
Work began last week to install the cable barriers on a twelve and a half mile stretch of I-90 from Exit 30 to the New York state line. The idea is to prevent any drivers who lose control from heading through the grassy median and into the other lanes of traffic.
Coroner Lyell Cook says Ohly was wearing proper safety gear, vest and helmet when she was hit and killed by West. He was expected to be arraigned after investigators conferred with the district attorney on the charges.
An autopsy was completed as required by law for an employee killed while on the job working for the state.
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Ohly Jacqueline
Junction City - Jacqueline E. Ohly, 26, Junction City, traveled home Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018, in Erie, Pennsylvania, as a result of an accident.
She was born Sept. 18, 1991, in Fort Polk, Louisiana, the daughter of, Vicki (Shirek) Landwer, Marshfield, and Dad, Robert Landwer, Junction City, (biological father, Walter Ohly).
Jackie was our gypsy -hippy, from her tattoos, to her piercings, to her dreadlocks. She was our loving and fun "one of a kind". Jackie was a hard, dedicated construction worker who could drive a skid steer better than any man. She was doing exactly what she loved. Her smile and free spirit was loved by everyone who knew her. Her love was construction work with her Dad Rob and learning the ropes to become the first female supervisor. She adored animals, music, potatoes whenever they were served at family functions, she never laughed without a snort. She also loved Star Wars, her family, especially her little brother, Nathan, and the love of her life, Alec.