A Summit County deputy suffered life-threatening injuries from being struck by a truck while directing traffic during severe weather outside the postponed Jason Aldean concert at Blossom Music Center on Thursday night.
Around 9:45 p.m., the deputy was directing traffic shortly after the concert had been canceled due to the severe weather, according to Summit County Sheriff's Office Inspector Bill Holland. The deputy was stationed at the intersection of Steels Corners and Northampton Roads in Cuyahoga Falls.
"It was obviously dark at 9:40 at night, the rain was on and off — at that point, it was raining again," Holland said.
A 2006 Ford F-450 pulling a trailer through the intersection struck the deputy, authorities said.
The person who struck the deputy, a 53-year-old man, had retrieved a vehicle from Blossom, Holland said.
The deputy was transported to Summa Akron City Hospital with life-threatening injuries.
"He suffered several injuries throughout his body, as you can imagine when you're struck by a vehicle," Holland said. Holland said they are hopeful that the deputy is going to be okay, and he has had family visiting him at the hospital.,
The victim's family requested that the deputy's name not be released.
"We're obviously monitoring his condition very closely," Holland said. "He's part of our family here at the sheriff's office."
Authorities said that alcohol does not appear to have played a role in the crash. No charges have been filed against the driver at this time, Holland said, but they are possible pending the outcome of the investigation; speed, direction of travel, the extent of the deputy's injuries and other factors will be considered.
"It is a dangerous job and when people think about the inherent dangers of police work, sometimes they don't consider traffic," Holland said.
Holland's message to the public is to be careful and stay safe, especially in potentially dangerous situations.
"We understand everybody wants to get home and wants to get to the venue, but we have people working out there, both our staff and the other staff that works there," he said. "They're just trying to do their job, and they want you to get there too and they want you to get safe. But it can be deadly, and people can get seriously injured. Just please pay attention to what you're doing, make sure you're watching."
