News Summary
Two construction workers tragically lost their lives in separate accidents on Twin Cities highways within 48 hours. The first incident involved a worker fatally struck by a dump truck in a closed construction zone, while the second occurred when another worker was hit on foot. Both incidents highlight ongoing safety concerns in construction areas and the need for increased awareness among drivers.
Maple Grove, Minnesota—In a tragic series of events, two construction workers were killed in separate accidents on Twin Cities highways within a span of 48 hours. The most recent incident occurred shortly before 2 p.m. on Thursday when a 25-year-old contract worker was fatally struck in a closed construction zone.
The victim, identified as Adam Frederick Smith from Seymour, Wisconsin, was working on eastbound Highway 610 near the interchange with Interstate 94 in Maple Grove when he was hit by a dump truck that was reversing. Emergency responders pronounced him dead at the scene, marking another addition to the grim statistics regarding worker safety in construction zones.
The dump truck involved in this incident was operated by Dianand Sukhram, a 57-year-old driver from Port Charlotte, Florida. Fortunately, Sukhram was not injured during the accident. However, he has a documented history of driving violations, which include issues with inspection decals and driving without proof of insurance. The construction work taking place at the time of the accident was managed by New Look Contracting, based in Rogers, Minnesota.
Immediately following the accident, the eastbound lanes of Highway 610 between Interstate 94 and Maple Grove Parkway were closed to facilitate the investigation and cleanup, which continued until approximately 6 p.m. on the same day.
This incident follows another tragic loss from the previous day when Pierre Raymon Mack, a 29-year-old construction worker from St. Paul, died on Wednesday morning after being struck on southbound Interstate 35W near Highway 13. Mack was also working in a designated construction zone when a truck equipped with a boom attachment hit him while he was on foot.
The driver of the truck involved in Mack’s accident, identified as Kerry Don Ingram, a 50-year-old from North Branch, Minnesota, was also unharmed. In the aftermath of Mack’s tragic incident, another truck driver collided with a stopped Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) vehicle, resulting in no injuries but prompting a citation for hit-and-run and other violations against the driver.
According to MnDOT, the recent fatalities underscore an alarming trend in construction zone safety. Since 1960, a total of 36 MnDOT workers and 16 contractors have lost their lives while performing their duties on Minnesota highways. These statistics highlight the dangers faced by construction workers in the state, particularly those working in areas with ongoing road projects.
Highway work is essential for maintaining and improving infrastructure, yet such projects can expose workers to significant risks, especially when drivers fail to exercise caution. Authorities emphasize the importance of adhering to posted signs and guidelines in construction areas to ensure the safety of workers and motorists alike.
In light of these recent tragedies, it is critical for both drivers and construction companies to prioritize safety measures to avoid further incidents and protect the lives of those working to improve the highways we utilize every day. The families of the deceased workers are now left to grapple with their unimaginable loss as investigations into the accidents continue.
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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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