COLUMBUS, Ohio – A state senator from Fayette County was hurt Tuesday night in a distracted-driving crash on I-71 in Pickaway County, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
Bob Peterson (R-Sabina) was driving southbound on I-71 about a half-mile north of the Pickaway-Madison county line when his Dodge Caravan struck a tractor-trailer in the rear, troopers said.
Peterson told troopers from the West Jefferson post of the highway patrol that he was distracted by reaching for something in the passenger seat just before the accident, troopers said.
Peterson had to be extricated from the vehicle and was flown to OSU Medical Center via medical helicopter. His injuries were described as non-life threatening injuries.
The truck driver, Cardy Aladino, 60, of Cape Coral, Fla., was not injured.
Alcohol or drugs were not a factor, the patrol said.
Peterson had had a productive day: Earlier, he introduced a bill to ramp up the state’s efforts to fight toxic algae.
Peterson introduced Senate Bill 1, co-sponsored by Sen. Randy Gardner (R–Bowling Green), which would establish the Office of Harmful Algae Management and Response under the direction of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.
The new department would work with local governments and water treatment plants to coordinate support for Lake Erie and inland lakes with other state agencies, according to a release from Peterson’s office.