Unexpected emergencies can unfold in seconds

Keith Hubler, center, is pictured with his wife, Sheena, and his father, Carl.

In highway maintenance, we prepare for traffic, equipment issues and changing weather. What we can’t always prepare for are the unexpected emergencies that unfold in seconds. 

My name is Keith Hubler, I have worked for KDOT since 2019. I started as an Equipment Operator and currently serve as Highway Maintenance Superintendent in Clay Center.  As a superintendent, I rely heavily on the leadership of my subarea supervisors and the professionalism of our crews. 

Not too long ago, I received a call from a subarea supervisor, a call nobody ever wants to receive. “We’ve had an incident in our work zone on I-70.”  My mind raced. Was the crew OK? Was the public safe? 

According to his account, the crew was working in the driving lane with a standard mobile setup; patch truck in operation, crash attenuator and a trail vehicle pulling a flashing “Road Work Ahead” sign trailer to alert approaching traffic. It was a typical workday: High visibility, proper signage and standard safety protocols in place. 

Then, without warning, a motorist approaching the work zone began to behave erratically. The driver drifted into the median, nearly striking the overpass guardrail. The motorist then overcorrected, crossing back over the roadway and off the right-hand shoulder, narrowly missing the trail vehicle and the flashing sign trailer. 

As the supervisor relayed the details to me, it became clear just how close the situation had been to becoming a catastrophic work zone crash. A matter of feet separated our crew from what could have been a serious collision. 

The supervisor indicated that one of our newly hired crew members quickly went to check on the driver while another crew member called 911. That quick response speaks volumes about the culture of safety and responsibility our supervisors work hard to instill. Even in an active work zone, with traffic continuing to move, the team acted decisively and professionally. 

It was thought that the driver had experienced a medical emergency. Emergency responders arrived promptly. Kansas Highway Patrol officers secured the scene, and an ambulance arrived with staff providing medical assistance and extricating the driver. Following the incident, the crew completed witness statements as requested by law enforcement. 

As I sat by the roadside digesting the phone call I had just received, I found myself reflecting on how unpredictable roadside operations truly are. We focus heavily on traffic control plans, equipment placement, lighting and personal protective equipment—and rightly so.

But this incident was not caused by distraction or reckless driving. It appears to have been a medical emergency, something entirely outside the realm of normal driver behavior and beyond the control of our crew. 

From a leadership standpoint, what stands out most is how the team responded. The subarea supervisor maintained control of the scene. The crew followed protocol, contacted emergency services and continued to prioritize safety for both motorists and workers. There was no panic, only action. 

Incidents like this reinforce why we emphasize training and situational awareness at every level. A work zone on a high-speed corridor such as I-70 leaves little margin for error. When a vehicle enters that space in an unpredictable manner, the consequences can escalate quickly. In this case, preparedness, alertness and a measure of good fortune prevented what could have been a far more serious outcome. 

As a superintendent, I often receive calls about equipment repairs, completed projects and routine maintenance accomplishments. This call was different. It served as a reminder that our crews are exposed to risks that go beyond potholes and pavement conditions. Every vehicle that approaches a work zone carries unknown variables. 

I am proud of how my supervisor and the crew handled this situation. Their professionalism made it possible for the driver to receive prompt medical attention and for safety in the work zone to remain a priority under rapidly changing circumstances. 

Highway maintenance is about more than infrastructure, it’s about people. And on that afternoon near Abilene, the actions of our team demonstrated exactly why strong leadership and well-trained crews matter.