ODOT settles lawsuit from woman who drove into two-tons of salt on Route 224
COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) has settled with a woman who was injured in a car accident caused by more than two tons of road salt spilled onto a highway in Medina County. The settlement, approved by the Ohio Court of Claims, awards $210,000.
The incident occurred in January 2020 when an ODOT driver accidentally spread between two and three tons of salt in one spot on U.S. Route 224 in Medina County. Rebecca Cmar, driving through the area, struck the salt pile, causing her to lose control of her vehicle, slide off the road, and roll over twice. Cmar suffered back injuries and incurred more than $88,000 in medical expenses, with an additional $50,000 expected for future medical costs.
Cmar and her husband filed a lawsuit against ODOT in January 2022, claiming negligence on the part of the ODOT driver for the road salt spill that led to the crash. ODOT countered, alleging that Cmar was driving at an unreasonable speed given the road and weather conditions.
Pretrial evidence included photos showing a wide patch of salt on the highway and a report from a consultant indicating that the ODOT driver's improper operation of the equipment caused the accident. Despite the initial dispute, the parties agreed to settle the matter for $210,000.
