Hood River man arrested after allegedly entering closed off-ramp, hitting ODOT workers

By Griffin Beach on Friday, July 17th, 2026 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

HOOD RIVER – A Hood River man was arrested after driving on a closed off-ramp and striking two Oregon Department of Transportation workers with his car.

ODOT had closed the exit 64 off-ramp on eastbound Interstate 84 on Wednesday morning to remove a wrecked semi-truck. Greg Polanski, 43, entered the off-ramp telling workers he needed the exit to get to work, according to an Oregon State Police report.

Polanski drove his Porsche through the closure striking two ODOT workers staffing the area. Neither worker was injured and they declined medical treatment.

Polanski fled the scene before law enforcement arrived. Oregon State Police troopers located him Wednesday evening. He was arrested and booked into the Northern Oregon Regional Correctional Facility on charges of recklessly endangering another person and recklessly endangering highway workers.

“Highway work zones are in place to protect both workers and the traveling public,” ODOT said in a statement. “Drivers are required to obey traffic control devices, road closures, and directions from roadway workers.”