WGRZ reports, yesterday morning, at approximately 8:00 AM, a 58-year-old New York Thruway Authority maintenance supervisor was struck and killed by a passenger vehicle. The incident occurred on I-90 near exit 58 in Chautauqua County.
According to police, the supervisor was standing in front of his work vehicle, which was stopped on the highway’s shoulder, when a sedan passed over hazard markings and headed toward him. Attempting to avoid an imminent collision, the supervisor ran into the adjoining lane, where he was struck by the car after the driver corrected his steering and moved back into the lane. The driver stopped and is cooperating in the police investigation.
An official of a Teamsters Union local that represents public workers told WGRZ, “Some accidents cannot be prevented, but we have to do everything in our power to try to minimize anything like this. . . .” He added the union wants to see “more, maybe police presence on the job sites when the workers are out there, because that does have people slow down when you see law enforcement,” and “more bumper trucks to protect the workers. . . .”
Governor Kathy Hochul released a statement urging motorists to drive cautiously and reminding them that Monday’s incident was the second fatal crash involving a Thruway maintenance worker this year.
Thruway Executive Director Frank Hoare issued a condolence statement that echoed the governor’s call on drivers to be alert and cautious in places where highway crew members are at work.