Highway worker killed by car on I-64 East identified
Friday, November 17th 2017
By Laurel Mallory, Digital Content Producer
A highway worker was killed after being trapped under a car that hit him as he put out traffic cones on I-64 Thursday night. (Source: Greg Schapker, WAVE 3 News)
LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) - A highway worker was killed after being trapped under a car during a crash on I-64 Thursday night, according to St. Matthews Police.
It happened at 8:22 p.m. on I-64 East just after the Watterson Expressway exit (I-264) at mile marker 12.2.
MetroSafe told us a FlagPro worker was hit by a car and trapped. FlagPro is responsible for traffic control on the highway.
We learned the worker was putting out traffic cones when a driver hit him and his truck, killing him, according to St. Matthews Police.
The coroner's office identified the victim as James Howard Bland Jr., 55, of Versailles, KY.
He died of multiple blunt force trauma.
Police closed the eastbound lanes of I-64 and one westbound lane as they worked the scene. The highway was closed until midnight.
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By Mike Stunson
November 17, 2017
A Versailles construction worker was killed Thursday night when he was trapped under a car during a crash on Interstate 64 in Louisville, according to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.
James Bland, Jr., 55, was hit about 8:30 p.m. on I-64 eastbound at Interstate 264, according to WDRB.
He was responsible for controlling traffic and was struck when he was setting up traffic cones, according to the cabinet.
“Our deepest condolences to the family and fellow friends of James Bland, who was killed Thursday evening while working on I-64 in Louisville,” the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet said in a tweet. “James was a former cabinet employee of KYTC District 5, and was working for a local traffic control contractor. Our hearts hurt.”
District 5 is based in Louisville.
The eastbound lanes of I-64 were closed until midnight, WAVE 3 said.
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LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) - A Versailles man working on road construction was killed after being trapped under a car during a crash on I-64 Thursday night.
WAVE 3 News reports that James Howard Bland Jr., 55, of Versailles was working on I-64 when the crash happened. Bland Jr. was responsible for controlling traffic. He was setting up traffic cones when he was hit by a car and trapped.
He died of multiple blunt force trauma.
Police closed the eastbound lanes of I-64 and one westbound lane as they worked the scene. The highway was closed until midnight.
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LOUISVILLE, Ky. —
A highway worker died Thursday night after being hit on I-64 East near I-264 by a driver in an SUV.
The accident was the eastbound lanes around 8:15 p.m.
The worker, identified as James Bland Jr., 55, was part of a crew putting out cones on the road before their work was to begin, when he was hit.
“To his family, I’m so sorry that it had to happen this way,” said Anthony Brown Sr., a friend of Bland, who was working with him when the accident happened.
Brown said he was running late for work the night of the crash and texted Bland to let him know.
“He said, ‘Well, get on out here, get your signs,’” Brown said. “He said, ‘We’ll be out here waiting for you.’”
Police said Bland died at the scene.
The coroner’s office said he lived in Versailles.
“He was safe with a capital 'S',” Brown said. “Now, I know he’s safe in God’s arms. I thank his family and let them know we’re praying for them.”
Investigators said the driver of the SUV stopped and is being interviewed by officers.
He is not facing any charges at this time.
Brown said he hopes drivers slow down on the road.
“We (are) people, too,” Brown said. “We want to go home. We’re doing a job. Drive slow, we’re there for a reason.”
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet said Bland had previously worked for them and was working at a local traffic control company.