BUFFALO, N.Y. — New York Governor Kathy Hochul has ordered that flags on state buildings will be flown at half-staff this weekend in honor of NYS Thruway Authority employee Stephen C. Ebling.
Ebling was working on the I-90 in Chautauqua County when he was struck and killed.
Investigators say a Honda Civic traveling west on the I-90 in the left lane struck the staffer. State Police say that the driver who is from Ohio is cooperating with them and no charges have been filed so far.
State Police say Ebling's Thruway vehicle was stopped on the left shoulder of the highway and he was standing in front of the vehicle. Troopers say the Honda Civic went over hazard markings toward the Thruway vehicle.
Their report indicates that Ebling tried to avoid that potential collision and ran into the left or passing lane. He was then struck by the Honda after the driver apparently corrected and steered back into the left lane
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Ebling family as they mourn the sudden and senseless loss of their husband and father,” Governor Hochul said. in a release “Highway workers deserve our full attention on the road – their lives depend on it. Motorists must remain alert, slow down, and move over when approaching stopped vehicles on the side of the highway.”
Ebling had worked for the NYS Thruway Authority for the past 15 years.