News Summary
A construction worker tragically lost his life after being struck by a truck in a designated construction zone on the Atlantic City Expressway. The accident occurred while the worker was performing duties, and preliminary investigations indicate that the driver was unaware of the individual’s presence. Authorities are urging motorists to exercise caution in construction zones as they continue to investigate the incident and focus on improving safety measures.
Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey – A 31-year-old construction worker was tragically struck and killed by a truck on the Atlantic City Expressway during a construction operation on Friday, July 25, around 7 a.m. The incident took place in a designated construction zone on the eastbound lanes of the expressway at milepost 36.5 in Winslow Township, Camden County.
The driver of an attenuator truck was backing up to pick up cones from a shoulder lane closure when the accident occurred. This type of truck is specifically designed to protect both construction workers and motorists in work zones. At the time of the incident, the truck driver remained unaware that the construction worker was located behind the vehicle.
The worker, hailing from Egg Harbor Township, sustained critical injuries and was initially transported for medical assistance. However, eyewitness reports indicate that he died at the scene. As of now, police have yet to release the name of the deceased worker. Multiple sources have confirmed that the victim’s name is Dominick Tarsitano.
Initial statements from state police erroneously indicated there were no injuries related to the crash. It was later clarified that a separate minor crash had indeed occurred in the same area at the same time, but it was unrelated to the death of the construction worker.
The South Jersey Transportation Authority (SJTA), which was overseeing the construction work, confirmed that Tarsitano was a subcontractor. The authority has indicated that out of respect for the individual and their family, they would refrain from releasing further details concerning the circumstances of his death.
In response to the incident, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has been made aware but has not released additional information regarding the case. The New Jersey State Police continue to investigate the incident, but as of Sunday afternoon, no new updates have been available.
This tragic event highlights the inherent risks faced by construction workers, particularly in active work zones. The use of attenuator trucks, which are intended to provide a buffer zone for workers and protect them from oncoming traffic, emphasizes the need for rigorous safety protocols on such sites.
Authorities urge all motorists to exercise caution when traveling through construction zones and to be vigilant of workers on site. This incident serves as a somber reminder of the potential dangers construction workers encounter and the importance of ensuring their safety while on the job.
As the investigation unfolds, additional information may be released. Until then, the SJTA and other officials are taking the necessary steps to address safety measures and ensure that such a tragic incident does not happen again in the future.
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Additional Resources
- NBC Philadelphia
- CBS News
- Daily Voice
- Courier Post
- NBC Philadelphia – Crash Update
- Wikipedia: Highway construction
- Google Search: Atlantic City Expressway
- Google Scholar: Construction safety
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Highway Construction
- Google News: Atlantic City Expressway construction accident
