Prairie Village crash renews call for driver vigilance in construction zones

PRAIRIE VILLAGE, Kan. (KCTV) - A construction worker struck by a vehicle Monday morning is in critical condition. While investigators look into the cause of the incident, Prairie Village police and MoDOT officials still urge drivers to stay alert — especially as road construction accelerates across the Kansas City metro.

Prairie Village Police Capt. Josh Putthoff said the worker had been controlling traffic for a private construction company near 79th Street and Ash Street when a driver hit him just after 11 a.m. on July 6.

“A private construction company was doing some road work,” Putthoff said. “And the driver, for one reason or another, didn’t see.”

The driver remained on scene and cooperated with investigators. Putthoff said the cause of the crash remains under investigation.

“Our traffic unit is investigating still to find out truly what happened,” he said.

Distractions go beyond smartphones

Putthoff used the incident as an opportunity to remind drivers that distractions behind the wheel extend well beyond cell phones.

“Limit the distractions,” Putthoff said.

Prairie Village police said adjusting a radio, air conditioning, or rolling up a window can all delay a driver’s reaction time. Even glancing away from the road momentarily poses a risk.

“Even looking in a yard or sidewalk — anything like that,” Putthoff said.

Putthoff said drivers must stay focused, particularly in and around active work zones.

“It’s just a good reminder that things can change in an instant,” he said. “It’s all the more important to just remain focused on driving and what’s in front of you.”

He also encouraged construction workers and flaggers to wear appropriate safety equipment and remain visible at all times.

“We do encourage even the construction workers, the flaggers, to wear all their appropriate equipment and to be very visible,” Putthoff said.

MoDOT: More construction zones are coming

With Kansas City’s final World Cup match now behind it, MoDOT I-70 KC Project Director James Pflum said drivers should expect to encounter more work zones in the weeks and months ahead.

“Drivers are gonna start seeing lane closures on eastbound I-70,” Pflum said.

Next week, one lane closes on eastbound I-70. That closure is prep work for a full I-70 shutdown in January — from 31st Street to downtown Kansas City — lasting 11 months. Pflum said the phased approach is designed to help drivers adjust to increased delays before the larger closure begins.

Pflum said planning ahead is critical.

“Giving them enough warning to plan ahead is really important,” Pflum said.

Both Pflum and Putthoff said safety in work zones is a shared responsibility between drivers and crews.

“We want everyone to go home safe as they drive through the work zone, but we also want our crews to go home safe as well,” Pflum said. “Everyone has to do everything they can to be safe.”