A flagger named Kathy A. Ruth was tragically struck by a SUV in a work zone on U.S. 340 near Charles Town, West Virginia. Despite efforts by witnesses to lift the vehicle off of her, Ruth later died at Jefferson Medical Center. She worked for Southern Traffic Solutions and was stationed on the west shoulder of U.S. 340, stopping southbound traffic when the incident occurred. The driver of the Lexus SUV was a 37-year-old woman from Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident.
The accident occurred just north of the intersection with Lewisville Road around 10:30 a.m. on a Thursday. The road was closed until 1 p.m. for investigation and documentation of the crash. Signs indicating road work and the presence of flaggers had been in place since March 25, warning motorists of the construction zone. The temporary work zone was established for the new U.S. 340 project, with Southern Traffic Solutions handling traffic control during the road work.
During the accident, witnesses at the scene attempted to lift the SUV off of Ruth to assist her before rescue personnel arrived. Once emergency responders were on scene, they were able to safely move Ruth from under the vehicle. Sadly, despite their efforts, Ruth later succumbed to her injuries at the local medical center. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, along with local fire and rescue teams, responded to the incident to aid in the investigation and provide support.
The 62-year-old flagger was identified as Kathy A. Ruth, hailing from Mount Hope in Fayette County, West Virginia. The incident, which led to her tragic death, involved a 2012 Lexus RX 350 driven by the Harpers Ferry woman. The road closure and investigative efforts lasted until 1 p.m. on the day of the accident, disrupting traffic in the area. Ruth’s role as a flagger for the road work project put her in harm’s way, highlighting the dangers faced by those working in construction zones and the importance of driver awareness and caution.
The loss of Kathy A. Ruth in this tragic accident serves as a reminder of the risks faced by road construction workers and the need for increased safety measures in work zones. The incident took place in a temporary work zone established for the new U.S. 340 project, with Southern Traffic Solutions responsible for traffic control. The driver of the SUV involved in the accident was a local woman from Harpers Ferry, and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collision. The community, along with first responders, mourns the loss of Ruth and offers support to her family and colleagues during this difficult time.
