Caltrans Worker Struck and Killed on Freeway.
Caltrans employee killed when tanker driver veered onto shoulder on 14 Fwy in Acton. By Jason Kandel
A tanker truck struck and killed a Caltrans worker. Gordon Tokumatsu reports for the NBC4 News at 5 on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016. (Published Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016)
A Caltrans worker struck and killed by a big rig driver on a Southern California freeway Thursday was identified as a 57-year-old electrician, the governor's office said.
Jorge Lopez, of Sylmar, died when he was struck as he was standing outside his vehicle on State Route 14 in Acton. Two other Caltrans employees driving behind Lopez were uninjured in the crash.
Gov. Jerry Brown issued a statement said that in honor of Lopez, Capitol flags will be flown at half-staff.
"Anne and I were saddened to learn of the death of Jorge Lopez, who worked each day to make our California roads safer," Brown said in the statement. "We extend our deepest sympathies to his family, friends and many colleagues who are mourning this tragedy."
Lopez, who was with the agency for 16 years, is the 185th Caltrans employee to die on the job. He is survived by his wife Leticia and three children.
"Today we mourn the loss of one of our own in this tragic incident," said Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty. "Our thoughts and focus are on supporting the family at this time. This is an unfortunate reminder of how dangerous highway work can be."
Lopez was struck about 11:35 a.m. at Red Rover Mine Road, according to the California Highway Patrol, which reported that an unspecified crime was being investigated at the scene.
Caltrans temporarily halted all road work to remind crews about safety.
Caltrans said it would post notices on its statewide network of electronic highway signs reminding motorists to watch out for highway workers.
"These tragedies are sobering reminders that we must all do everything we can to keep our highways safe," said Dougherty. "Motorists must slow down, watch out for highway workers and safely move over a lane when passing work crews. This is why we have the 'Move Over' law."
==========
Caltrans employee killed when tanker driver veered onto shoulder on 14 Fwy in Acton.
Caltrans freeway worker killed by truck: Criminal probe in Acton
Posted by Stephanie Michaud on September 1, 2016 in Crime | 297 Views |
Photo by John Schreiber. A Caltrans electrician was struck and killed by a big rig Thursday on the southbound Antelope Valley (14) Freeway in the Acton area, prompting the Caltrans district in which he worked to halt all maintenance activities for a safety review.
Jorge Lopez, a 57-year-old Sylmar resident, died at the scene of the 11:35 a.m. collision at Red Rover Mine Road.
Lopez, who had been with the state transportation agency for 16 years, was standing behind his vehicle on the side of the road when the big rig veered into him. Two other Caltrans employees driving behind him were unhurt.
The truck driver stopped at the scene and was being questioned by California Highway Patrol investigators.
Gov. Jerry Brown said he and his wife, Anne, “were saddened to learn of the death of Jorge Lopez, who worked each day to make our California roads safer. We extend out deepest sympathies to his family, friends and many colleagues who are mourning this tragedy.”
Lopez is survived by his wife, Leticia and three adult children, according to Caltrans.
The crash initially prompted a shutdown of all southbound freeway lanes. By about 4:15 p.m., one lane remained closed and southbound traffic was backed up past Soledad Canyon Road and northbound traffic to Escondido Canyon Road.
Flags at the state Capitol will be flow at half-staff in Lopez’s honor, according to the governor’s office.
Lopez’s death was the first since 2005 of an employee of Caltrans District 7, which includes Los Angeles and Ventura counties, and the 185th Caltrans employee to be killed while on the job.
In the wake of the fatality, District 7 called a “safety stand-down to emphasize safety procedures.” Routine and regularly scheduled highway maintenance will be temporarily halted “to revisit and reinforce all aspects of field safety,” according to Caltrans.
The agency also announced its statewide network of electronic freeway signs will remind drivers to be alert for highway workers.
“Today we mourn the loss of one of our own in this tragic incident,” Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty said. “This is an unfortunate reminder of how dangerous highway work can be.”
He said motorists should slow down and move over a lane when passing work crews.