Federal agency commends GDOT worker

CLEVELAND - The Federal Highway Administration has commended a Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) worker for action he took in January on an icy northeast Georgia road that may have saved a motorist from serious injury or death.

Ricky Brown of Cleveland, GDOT's highway maintenance foreman for White County, was working a "snow and ice detail" on Georgia Highway 75 when he noticed a car slipping down the icy pavement toward an embankment.

Brown's boss, Todd Long, the District Engineer for the Gainesville-based GDOT office, said "Ricky noticed an elderly woman inside and positioned his vehicle to stop the car from sliding off the road and down the embankment."

"We are certain that Ricky prevented at least a severe injury," Long added.

Federal Highway Administrator (FHWA) Robert Callan presented Brown with a plaque.

"The FHWA Condron Award is to recognize those employees who go out of their way, and above the duties required for their position," Callan said. "Ricky has exemplified the meaning of this award through his work in improving the safety of the motorists in White County."

http://accesswdun.com/article/2004/11/148191