Family Of Fallen ODOT Worker Urges Drivers To Use Caution In Work Zones

Sixty-one Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) workers and 11 Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA) workers have been killed in work zones since 1931. 

This week, the state is honoring those lives lost and emphasizing the importance of safety on the roads through its "Make It Home Safe, Make Oklahoma Safe" campaign.

"We have workers out there every day putting their lives at risk working right next to traffic," said ODOT spokesperson T.J. Gerlach.

He adds while there are signs in place to indicate a work zone is up ahead, drivers must decide to take action. "The number one thing we need drivers to do in a work zone is pay attention," Gerlach continued saying, "Putting down the cell phone, watching for the signs that say construction is coming up, and slowing down as well."

Nick and Ben Gray said they take those rules of the road very seriously - after their father Jarrell Gray was killed on May 18, 2016. "I have always, ever since that, made it a priority for me to make sure that even if I am holding up the line going through a work zone, that I am going the speed limit and doing everything I can to protect other drivers and more importantly the people that are working," said Ben.

Jarrell was an ODOT supervisor in District 8 and had been with the agency since 1998. Authorities said he was supervising brush removal along Highway 20 near Jay when he was hit by a distracted driver.

Nick said, "I grew up in the generation where we all had cell phones, so I know how easy it can be to say 'oh it is just one text I will look at it,' but it can mean a lot more."

The Gray's said the loss of their father is something they live with every day.

"It was hard growing up and knowing that I would never get to see him again," Ben continued saying, "It always kind of sucked to know that he is going to miss out on all the big moments."

"My dad was not able to teach us how to drive, how to deal with girls when we had issues, he did not get to see us graduate," said Nick. "I actually am a collegiate athlete now and he will never get to see one of those collegiate track meets I compete at."

The twin brothers hope sharing their story will get drivers' attention and save other families from the same fate.

"Taking that split second you feel to look down and check a message or send a quick text could change someone else's life for the rest of their life and it can also change your life," Ben said.

"If people are driving through those work zones just think about maybe these people have young kids," Nick added, "What would it be like for them to have to grow up without a father?"

Governor Kevin Stitt proclaimed April 17-21, 2023 as Oklahoma Work Zone Awareness Week in coordination with the National Work Zone Safety Awareness Week.

Gerlach said drivers can expect more than 160 active work zones across Oklahoma this summer driving season.