News Summary
In a tragic series of events, two construction workers lost their lives on Minnesota highways within a span of 48 hours. The incidents occurred in closed construction zones, raising serious concerns over worker safety. The first victim, Adam Frederick Smith, was struck by a dump truck on Highway 610, while the second, Pierre Raymon Mack, was killed by a boom truck on Interstate 35W. These fatalities highlight ongoing safety challenges faced by construction personnel on busy roads, prompting calls for enhanced safety measures in work zones.
Minneapolis: Two Construction Workers Killed in Separate Highway Incidents Within 48 Hours
In the Twin Cities area, tragic incidents involving construction workers occurred over two consecutive days, resulting in two fatalities on Minnesota highways. The events highlight ongoing safety concerns for personnel working in closed construction zones on busy roads.
Latest Incident on Highway 610
On Thursday afternoon, shortly before 2 p.m., a fatal accident took place on eastbound Highway 610 near the interchange with Interstate 94 in Maple Grove. A contract worker, Adam Frederick Smith, aged 25 from Seymour, Wisconsin, was reportedly walking in a closed construction zone when he was struck by a reversing dump truck. Emergency responders quickly arrived but were unable to save Smith, declaring him dead at the scene.
The truck involved in the collision was driven by Dianand Sukhram, 57, of Port Charlotte, Florida. Sukhram did not sustain injuries during the incident. Notably, public records show Sukhram has a history of driving violations, including issues related to inspection decals and driving without proof of insurance, raising concerns about safety and compliance in traffic operations.
Construction work in the area was carried out by New Look Contracting, based in Rogers, Minnesota. Following the incident, eastbound lanes of Highway 610 between I-94 and Maple Grove Parkway were closed for several hours, reopening around 6 p.m. that evening. The closure caused significant disruptions for drivers in the area.
Incident on Interstate 35W
Just a day earlier, on Wednesday morning, another fatal accident occurred in a construction zone on southbound Interstate 35W near Highway 13. Pierre Raymon Mack, 29, of St. Paul, was working as a construction worker when he was struck and killed by a truck with a boom attachment. Mack was also on foot and located in a closed zone away from active traffic when the collision happened.
The truck involved was driven by Kerry Don Ingram, 50, from North Branch, Minnesota. Ingram was unharmed, and investigations revealed no injuries to him. Following the accident, a separate incident occurred when another truck clipped a stopped Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) vehicle. The second truck did not cause injuries but resulted in a citation for hit-and-run and other violations against the driver.
Context and Historical Data
These recent incidents are part of a longstanding concern for highway worker safety in Minnesota. According to the MnDOT agency, since 1960, a total of 36 MnDOT workers and 16 contractors have lost their lives while working on Minnesota highways. The mortality rate underscores the inherent dangers faced by personnel involved in highway construction and maintenance activities.
Safety Implications and Conclusion
The series of accidents over just two days reveal ongoing challenges in maintaining safety within construction zones, particularly when workers are on foot and zones are closed to traffic. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding each incident, emphasizing the need for strict safety protocols to protect workers and drivers alike.
As investigations proceed, officials reiterated the importance of respecting construction signs and zones, alongside enforcement efforts aimed at improving compliance with safety standards across Minnesota’s highway construction sites.
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Additional Resources
- KSTP: Contractor Killed by Dump Truck
- Wikipedia: Construction Zone
- Star Tribune: Second Construction Worker Killed
- Google Search: Construction Worker Safety Statistics Minnesota
- CBS News: Maple Grove Construction Zone Crash
- Google Scholar: Construction Zone Safety
- Fox 9: Crash Causing Backups on Highway 610
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Construction
- Willmar Radio: Two Men Killed in Construction Zone
- Google News: Construction Accidents Minnesota
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