Maryland State Police: State highway worker injured in crash

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 11, 2010

STATE HIGHWAY WORKER INJURED IN CRASH

(Woodlawn, MD) - A State Highway Administration truck driver sustained what appear to be non-life threatening injuries this afternoon when the truck he was driving was struck by a tractor trailer during a snow removal operation on the Baltimore Beltway.

The highway worker is identified as James L. Flutka, 36, a 13-year member of the State Highway Administration, who is a Transportation Engineer Technician V.

He was transported by ambulance to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center for treatment.

The second driver involved is identified as Robert D. Scolaro, 48, of Lakeland, Florida. He was driving a 2006 Freightliner truck tractor pulling a trailer loaded with diapers.

Just before 2:00 p.m. today, Maryland State Police from the Golden Ring Barracks were dispatched to the scene of a traffic crash on the outer loop of I-695, between Rt. 40 and Edmondson Avenue.

The preliminary investigation indicates Flutka was in lane three of the Beltway slowly driving a yellow State Highway Administration Ford F-150 pickup truck with an arrow board that moved traffic away from the slow lanes, where a snow removal operation was underway.

The tractor trailer, driven by Scolaro, ran into the back of the pickup truck. Scolaro was not believed to be injured in the crash and no other vehicles were involved.

Scolaro was charged on a traffic citation by the state trooper investigating the crash with failure to control speed to avoid a collision. The charge carries a penalty of a $130 fine and three points.

The outer loop of the Beltway was closed for about 30 minutes until two lanes could be reopened to traffic. All lanes are expected to be reopened by the height of the rush hour. The investigation is continuing.

Motorists are reminded to continue to stay alert and use extreme caution when driving. They should constantly be aware of snow removal operations that are ongoing on all state and county roads, as well as in parking lots and private businesses.

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CONTACT: Greg Shipley
Office of Media Communications & Marketing
410-653-4236 (Office) 410-653-4200 (through Headquarters Duty Officer)

20100211 sdsom MSP State highway worker injured in crash

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