Cincinnati officials and Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) are investigating the cause of an overhead exit ramp collapse that killed a construction worker and injured a semi truck driver on Interstate 75 (I-75), five miles north of the Ohio River. 

The collapse occurred at about 10:30 p.m. on Monday as crews were preparing to demolish the ramp as part of a project to increase capacity on I-75. The collapse, which killed 35-year-old Brandon William Carl, an Augusta, Ky., native, left southbound lanes of the interstate littered with several hundred tons of concrete and steel.

“Our teams are surveying the situation and will stay here conducting the necessary investigations into how this occurred,” City Manager Harry Black told reporters Tuesday. “We will work with state Department of Transportation as this thing unfolds. We're just trying to stabilize the situation.”  Black characterized the collapse as “in essence, an industrial accident, a workplace incident with respect to a construction crew that's doing work out here. ”

A statement issued by City of Cincinnati described the incident as a “catastrophic pancake collapse.” City officials indicated they intend to investigate the ramp's rating, prior to the collapse.

Westerville, Ohio-based Kokosing Construction Co. is serving as general contractor on the project, ODOT officials indicated.

The truck driver was treated for minor injuries at a local hospital after his vehicle struck the collapsed ramp.

In addition to increasing capacity, the 1-75 project is intended to improve safety on a section known for an inordinate number accidents.