Road Construction Worker Dies After Being Hit: Fatality Files

A driver is likely to face charges after hitting and killing a construction worker in a road construction work zone. The victim was a 42-year-old construction worker, who was removing barrels from the end of a road closure as it was about to reopen. The driver entered the closed lane with the intent to exit when he hit the worker. Police said the victim was wearing a reflective jacket and helmet at the time.

The victim was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries. He died the following day.

The driver told police he realized he was in the construction zone and was in the process of merging back into traffic when the accident happened. He will likely face charges of vehicular homicide.  https://www.11alive.com/article/traffic/construction-worker-dies-after-being-hit-on-i-85-nb-at-i-985/85-516450077

Final Word

Imagine if your “office” was smack in the middle of multiple lanes of traffic, or a narrow two-lane road with no shoulder. You are just feet, sometimes inches away, from speeding vehicles, semi-trucks, and heavy equipment. Even with your required reflective clothing and other PPE, you know who will likely win if some driver isn’t paying attention.

Traffic work zones are dangerous. Hundreds of workers die each year in work zones because of:

  • Driver inattention
  • Worker inattention
  • Improperly placed warning signs; and other factors, including speeding, abusive drivers experiencing road rage, and driver impairment from drugs and alcohol.