Man Arrested After Hitting Construction Worker Twice with Car in Ohio

Toledo, Ohio – A 61-year-old man was arrested Tuesday after allegedly hitting a construction worker twice with his car during a traffic dispute on S. Coy Road.

The incident occurred on April 1, when police were dispatched to the 1100 block of S. Coy Road in response to reports of a disorderly driver. While officers were en route, they received additional information that a construction worker had been struck by a vehicle.

According to the Oregon Police Department (OPD), the construction worker was standing in the road holding a stop sign, as crews were performing work on the road. He had stopped northbound traffic to ensure the safety of workers when the driver of the first car in line began honking the horn and yelling obscenities at him. The driver then attempted to maneuver around the worker, despite the presence of oncoming traffic in the opposite lane.

The worker reportedly stepped in front of the vehicle to prevent the driver from proceeding, at which point the man allegedly drove forward and struck the worker with his car. Afterward, the driver is said to have continued yelling before hitting the construction worker a second time as he drove forward.

The suspect then fled the scene, heading northbound on S. Coy Road. The construction worker, who was not injured, managed to take down the vehicle’s license plate number and a description of the car.

Shortly after the incident, officers located the vehicle at Eastwyck Apartments, where they arrested the driver, later identified as Kenneth Shinaver of Oregon, Ohio. Shinaver was charged with the following offenses:

• Felonious Assault (a second-degree felony)

• Assault on a Peace Officer (a fourth-degree felony)

• Operating a Motor Vehicle Under the Influence of Alcohol (OVI) (a fourth-degree felony)

• OVI Within 20 Years of a Prior Offense (a fourth-degree felony)

• Resisting Arrest (a second-degree misdemeanor)

• Obstructing Official Business (a second-degree misdemeanor)

A judge set his aggregate bond at $178,000, with no percent bond, and Shinaver is scheduled to appear in court on April 4.

The Oregon Police Department commended the quick response and cooperation of the construction worker, whose actions helped to ensure the safe identification and arrest of the suspect. Authorities are continuing to investigate the incident.

The case highlights the dangers that construction workers face on the job, particularly when drivers act recklessly in active work zones.