OHIO FIREFIGHTER STRUCK ON THE ROADWAY

A Florence Township Firefighter struck by a motorist at the scene of a crash he was operating at is doing better, but remains in a Cleveland hospital.

Patrick Finnegan, 57, was listed in good condition at Cleveland MetroHealth Medical Center on Wednesday after undergoing surgery to repair an extensive leg injury, according to a hospital spokeswoman.

Finnegan was flown to MetroHealth late Tuesday after he was hit by a passing car on state Route 113 as he directed traffic following a motorcycle-deer collision. The injured motorcycle driver and passenger — Howard Wilde, 51, and Wendy Russell, 48, both of Norwalk — already had been taken to the hospital when Finnegan was hit. Both were listed in good condition Wednesday night at MetroHealth.

Finnegan was struck as he and other firefighters were clearing the scene and directing traffic. The driver police say hit Finnegan, 88-year-old Donald Bechtel of Birmingham, told the State Highway Patrol that he swerved to avoid Finnegan, but didn’t see him until it was too late.

The accident is under investigation to determine if any charges will be filed, Highway Patrol Lt. Glenn Peterson said. Finnegan has been a volunteer firefighter for more than five years.