Ohio Must Pay $1.8M Award in Fatal Pothole Crash

The state must pay an Ohio woman’s family more than $1.8 million for failing to fix the potholes that caused a fatal 2008 traffic crash.

The award to the family of Pauline Miller of East Palestine, south of Youngstown, was approved Aug. 30 by the Ohio Court of Claims.

The original $3.3 million award was reduced to reflect a settlement with a trucking company and attorney fees.

The 49-year-old nurse was killed heading to work in Youngstown when a truck crashed head-on into her vehicle after hitting potholes on state Route 165.

A judge ruled the Ohio Department of Transportation was negligent in failing to properly maintain the roadway.

There was no immediate comment from ODOT on the award. A message was left with the agency Tuesday.