SILVER CREEK, N.Y. — Stephen “Steve” Ebling, a maintenance supervisor with the New York State Thruway Authority, was killed on Monday after being struck by a vehicle while working on Interstate 90 near Silver Creek, according to officials. Ebling, who served with the Thruway Authority for 15 years, was described by colleagues as a dedicated and hardworking individual.
Ebling, who worked in the Buffalo Maintenance Division, leaves behind his wife, Belindie, and their two sons, Brett and Joel. His death has prompted an outpouring of condolences from both colleagues and the community. “Steve was a committed public servant,” Frank G. Hoare, executive director of the Thruway Authority, said in a statement. “He is remembered by his fellow colleagues as a hardworking and dedicated person who was always willing to help.”
The incident underscores the dangers faced by highway maintenance workers, who often work close to moving traffic. The Thruway Authority emphasized the importance of New York’s Move Over Law, which requires drivers to slow down and change lanes when approaching stopped vehicles on the roadside. “The men and women who work along the roadway are real people with families that they want to go home safe to each day,” Hoare said.
The details of the accident are under investigation, and the Thruway Authority has not released information on the driver involved. The accident highlights ongoing concerns over worker safety on highways, where traffic conditions can change in an instant, putting those who work on or near the roads at risk.
Ebling’s passing marks a somber moment for the Thruway Authority, which has faced similar tragedies in the past. Colleagues and loved ones are remembering him not only for his years of service but also for his character and dedication to his job.
