Surveying (Construction) Fatality File

Land surveyor struck and killed by passenger vehicle

A 47-year-old land surveyor died after being struck by a passenger vehicle as he walked along the road. The victim and the survey company owner were walking back to the company truck after having completed surveying tasks for the day. The owner was walking in the direction of traffic along a rural road while the victim was on the opposite side of the road. They were approaching a blind hill with no emergency lanes. The surveying work had been conducted more than 15 feet from traffic, so no warning signs were placed on the roadway. The speed limit was 55 mph. A young driver crested the hill in a passenger car, saw the pedestrians and quickly applied the brake, losing control of the vehicle. The victim ran down an embankment in an effort to escape the oncoming vehicle. The car skidded for 65 feet and fish-tailed before becoming airborne, landing on top of the victim and dragging him 15 feet before coming to a stop. The company owner called emergency medical services, which arrived on the scene and transported the victim via helicopter to the nearest trauma hospital. He died later that day.