Jennifer Donley Obituary, Death: ODOT Bridge Inspector, 45, Killed in Fatal I-70 Crash in Zanesville, Ohio

The Ohio community is mourning the reported death of Jennifer Donley, a 45-year-old Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) employee who was fatally struck by a semi-truck while working on Interstate 70 in Zanesville, Ohio.

Donley, who lived in Lancaster, Ohio, was working as a bridge inspector on the morning of Monday, November 9, 2026, when the fatal collision occurred. According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s preliminary investigation, the crash involved a westbound 2027 Freightliner Cascadia travelling through an I-70 reconstruction work zone.

Her death has drawn attention to the risks faced by transportation workers who carry out inspections and other duties in active highway construction areas.

Key Details

What Happened in the I-70 Crash?

The collision occurred Monday morning while Donley was carrying out bridge inspection work along Interstate 70 in Zanesville.

According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s preliminary investigation, a westbound 2027 Freightliner Cascadia was travelling through the I-70 reconstruction work zone when the incident occurred. Donley was reportedly struck by the semi-truck while performing her duties.

The preliminary account identifies the commercial truck involved, but further details about the precise sequence of events have not been provided in the information available for this report.

Jennifer Donley’s Work With ODOT

Donley lived in Lancaster and worked for the Ohio Department of Transportation as a bridge inspector. Her role involved work connected to the inspection of highway bridges, an important part of maintaining transportation infrastructure and public road safety.

Her death has brought renewed attention to the dangers that road and bridge inspection personnel can face while working near moving traffic, particularly within active construction and reconstruction zones.

Investigation Into the Fatal Collision

The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash. The information provided describes the agency’s findings as preliminary, meaning the investigation may establish additional details about the collision.