The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) has agreed to a $210,000 settlement with Rebecca Cmar, who was injured when her car struck a large pile of salt on a highway in Medina County. The Ohio Court of Claims approved the settlement after Cmar and her husband sought compensation for the January 2020 incident.
The accident occurred when an ODOT driver, Dylan Hale, unintentionally deposited between two and three tons of salt on U.S. Route 224. Cmar's compact car hit the salt pile, causing her to lose control and roll into a ditch. She suffered multiple back injuries requiring extensive medical treatment.
Cmar filed a lawsuit against ODOT in January 2022, claiming negligent road maintenance led to her accident. ODOT contested this claim, arguing that Cmar was driving too fast under poor conditions and should have been able to avoid the salt.
Evidence presented by Cmar included photographs showing the substantial amount of salt on the roadway. An expert report from Allin/Rose Consulting supported her claim that improper equipment operation caused the accident.
Ultimately, both parties reached an agreement to settle for $210,000, which was approved by the court on September 20th.
Rebecca Cmar et al. v. Ohio Department of Transportation is recorded as Case No. 2023-00101JD.