INDOT worker struck, killed in Putnam County - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

An INDOT worker died Tuesday after being struck by a vehicle on US 36 in Putnam County at 600 West.

Police say the victim, Steven Overbay, 27, of Roachdale, was working as a flagger at an INDOT worksite when a car driven by a 79-year-old Rockville man hit him.

INDOT workers were removing dirt and debris from the edges of the road. Eastbound traffic was stopped for an INDOT flagman when an eastbound Toyota Matrix failed to stop and veered to the right in an apparent attempt to avoid a rear-end collision with stopped traffic. The Toyota struck Overbay, sending him into the hood of the car and partially through the windshield.

Overbay was standing on the south side of the roadway near the grass and not in the travel portion of the roadway. He was pronounced dead at the scene. His family has been notified.

The driver of the Toyota was identified as Cleve Scott, 79, of Rockville. He was taken to the hospital for an arm fracture and lacerations. His sister, Aldene Smith, 75, of Rockville, was a passenger in the car. She was not injured.

Scott could face charges in connection with the accident. Under Indiana law, anyone who recklessly fails to obey a traffic control device or flagman in the immediate vicinity of a highway work zone when workers are present, commits a Class A misdemeanor. If the offense results in the death of a worker at a work site, as it was in this case, it is a Class C felony, punishable by imprisonment of two to eight years and a maximum fine of $10,000.

State troopers say there were five signs posted ahead of the construction warning oncoming traffic. Overbay, who was employed by INDOT since 2007, was dressed in high visibility reflective vest at the time of impact.

The crash is under investigation by ISP Senior Trooper Jason Schoffstall and ISP Crash Re-constructionist Sergeant Jim Cody. Assisting were other ISP troopers, Putnam County Sheriff's Office, Putnam County Coroner's Office, Putnam County Operation Life, Bainbridge Fire/Rescue and Roachdale PMH.

Indiana State Police will submit their investigative findings to the Putnam County Prosecutor's Office for review.