Veteran Cleveland traffic/news reporter Rick Abell has died. Newsradio WTAM 1100 is reporting this week that “Sky Chief” passed away May 5 after a long illness and complications from hip surgery.
Known for his deep voice, Southern-drawl and tell-it-like-it-is reports, he guided lakefront city motorists to work and home again with his helicopter reports, first on WWWE, then later when the calls changed to WTAM, and then on WOIO-TV 19 for many years. Abell was also the eyes in the sky for numerous breaking news stories throughout the Cleveland area.
Not afraid to blame “rubberneckers” or “idiots” for traffic slow downs and crashes, many listeners and colleagues described his reporting style as unpredictable.
In his career, Abell won 21 ADDYS, he was named National Traffic Reporter of the Year four times, and is a member of the Ohio Broadcasting Hall of Fame.
Rick Abell was 67.
