FARGO, ND -- A contract worker painting markings on the runway of Hector International Airport was killed in a collision with an SUV early Monday, July 31, 2017, said Shawn Dobberstein, executive director of the Fargo Airport Authority.
The worker was identified by Fargo Police as Darry Arveson Jr., 48, Glen Ullin, N.D.
Dobberstein said Arveson was using a vehicle to paint lines on the runway when it was hit by an SUV driven by an Airport Authority employee.
The airport employee was identified as Darren Anderson, who has worked for the airport since 1997.
The collision was reported to emergency dispatchers about 12:40 a.m. Monday. The worker died at the scene, said Deputy Chief Joe Anderson of the Fargo Police Department.
Police are investigating the crash, Anderson said. Dobberstein said the airport has resumed normal operations.
“Our sympathies go out to the employee and his family and obviously our employee and his family as well,” Dobberstein said.
The incident happened on the airport’s main runway, according to Dobberstein.
No one was cited in the incident, but the investigation is ongoing and the case will be referred to the Cass County State’s Attorney’s Office to review whether any charges would be appropriate, Anderson said.
“We’re going to look at what caused the crash and any charges that could be recommended. At this point the (airport) employee has been very cooperative with law enforcement,” Anderson said.
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Fargo airport official in SUV fatally hits worker in utility painting vehicle on runway
The crash occurred late at night during a maintenance project, authorities said.
By Paul Walsh Star Tribune
July 31, 2017 — 3:42pm
A senior Fargo airport official driving an SUV late at night on a runway struck and killed the operator of a small utility painting vehicle that was putting down markings, authorities said.
The collision occurred about 12:40 a.m. Monday on the primary runway of Hector International Airport, according to police. Aviation traffic was unaffected.
Contract worker Darry Arveson Jr., 48, of Glen Ullin, was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.
The SUV driver was the airport's assistant director, Darren L. Anderson, said Shawn A. Dobberstein, Hector's executive director. Neither Anderson nor a person riding with him were hurt, Dobberstein added.
"Mr. Anderson was assisting with the coordination of the runway maintenance project," Dobberstein said in a statement. Anderson has been working for the Fargo Airport Authority since 1997.