A decision to put speed over safety resulted in the death of an Ohio teenager.
A semi truck was traveling at an estimated 60 miles per hour in an active school zone with a 20-mph posted speed limit. As the truck was traveling northbound, a student was driving a Honda SUV southbound. As the student was turning into the parking lot of Tolls Career and Technical Center, a school, the truck driver crashed into him. The accident happened on March 4, 2016 on U.S. 42 in Madison County, Columbus, Ohio.
Eighteen-year-old Zachary George of Plain City, Columbus, was tragically killed in the accident. He was a senior at Jonathan Alder High School and was taking welding classes at Tolles. He leaves behind his mother, father, older brother, a grandmother, cousins, aunts, and uncles. Troopers are investigating the accident.
Speeding in a School Zone
The school-speed sign in front of Tolls Career and Technical Center states that the limit is 20 mph from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. The accident happened at about 8:00 a.m.
The speed limit sign has another yellow sign on top of it that reads “SCHOOL” that makes the sign stand out, and yellow is recognized as the color for school signs.
The state of Ohio is now planning on adding flashing lights to the posted school speed limit signs in front of Tolls Career and Technical Center. The stretch of highway in front of the school may also be made a no-passing zone.
- http://abc6onyourside.com/news/local/highway-getting-new-school-zone-signs-after-teen-hit-killed-by-semi