Texas Truck Accident Kills Construction Worker

A construction worker was killed when a truck mowed into a construction convoy on Texas 73 about 8 miles west of Port Arthur last week. The accident occurred last Monday at about 10:30 PM.

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, the workers were engaged in painting lane stripes and reflective markers when the truck trailer slammed into the convoy. There were three vehicles in the convoy. Worker Santos Granja was on the trailer of one of the vehicles, and was killed. Four other construction workers at the scene were injured, and that had to be rushed to the hospital.

The workers were employees of Crabtree Barricade Systems Inc., which had been engaged by the Texas Department of Transportation for highway remedial work. The driver has not been charged in the accident.

Work zone accidents kill hundreds of people in Texas every year, including motorists as well as pedestrian construction workers. Texas Work-Related Motor Vechicle Accident Lawyers often see that these collisions are caused when motorists drive at unsafe speeds through construction work zones.

Department of Transportation officials warn against driving at normal speeds through a construction work zone.

Warning signs are usually posted just before you enter the work zone. As soon as you see the signs, drop your speeds to the posted speed limit.

Don’t suddenly speed up inside the work zone. Maintain the same speeds as you pass through the zone.

Don’t stop your car or truck when you’re inside the work zone to look at the construction work.

Switch off all distractions in your car. Turn off your radio station and your cell phone, and focus 100% on driving through the work zone safety.

Take care to avoid construction equipment and debris that may be strewn about.

At the end of the day, remember that a construction zone might be an inconvenience for you, but for the workers here, it’s their workplace, and they should be able to do work safely.