Snow Plow Driver Cited After Hitting, Injuring Omaha Man

As Omaha preps for more winter weather in the months ahead, one local man is coping with the experience of being hit by a snow plow.

Although the city uses more than two dozen contractors to plow the roads, private operators aren’t held to the same standards that require insurance and valid driver’s licenses, WOWT explained in a story Tuesday (January 5).

John Ayres gets “the jitters” when he sees snow plows now, following an incident about a month ago.

Ayres, luckily wearing his seat belt, endured injuries to his head and chest after being hit by a private pickup truck with a snow plow blade. The driver of the truck allegedly failed to stop at an intersection and didn’t see Ayres’ car amid the snow piles, according to WOWT. The driver, who apparently doesn’t have a valid license, received a citation, the police report shows.

“The last thing I remember is the flash of red and a snow blade and it plowed me right into that retaining wall over there,” Ayres recalled to the station. “As bad as that wreck was the guy could have killed me…I’m lucky to be here.”

“Every time I see a snowplow now it gives me the jitters,” he said.

Photo: Getty Images