From Maryland State Police:
TWO WORKERS IDENTIFIED IN WORK ZONE CRASH
Troopers are releasing the identities of the two contract workers killed in the work zone crash earlier today in Cecil County.
The first deceased victim has been identified as Luis E. Tadeo, 42, of the 1500-block of Palai Turn of Bowie, Md.
The second deceased victim has been identified as Victor D. Jackson, 41, of the 5500-block of Hunt Place, NE in Washington DC.
Both victims were pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical personnel from Cecil County.
The driver involved was driving a 2006 Ford Focus. He was taken into custody for questioning. He was released without charges and is not being identified at this time due to pending charges. He was not injured.
The investigation indicated that around 9:00 a.m. today, a 2006 Ford Focus was traveling westbound on Pulaski Highway in the area of Belvidere Road in North East, Maryland. The driver of the Focus entered into a highway work zone area striking two contractual highway workers. The work zone was clearly marked with orange traffic cones and other safety equipment.
There has been no determination of speed at this point in the investigation. Nor have investigators determined why the Ford Focus entered the work zone, nothing has been ruled out at this time. State Police investigators continue to interview witnesses who saw what occurred.
Due to the severity of the crash, the amount of debris, and the investigation, the road was closed for several hours. State Highway Administration personnel handled road closures as well as detours in the area.
The Cecil County State’s Attorney’s Office has been notified and will be consulted reference any charges being placed against the driver. Anyone with information regarding this crash is asked to contact the Maryland State Police, North East Barrack at (410) 996-7800.
The cause of the crash is still under investigation.
STATE HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION OFFERS CONDOLENCES TO FAMILY, FRIENDS AND CO-WORKERS OF PESSOA WORKERS KILLED TODAY ON US 40
SHA Urges Motorists to Drive Safely and Stay Alert, Especially in Work Zones
Following the tragic incident this morning in which a driver veered into an active work zone killing two highway workers, the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) expresses its condolences to the family, friends and co-workers of Victor Jackson and Luis Tadeo, employed by Pessoa Construction Company.
“The men and women of SHA offer our condolences to the Jackson and Tadeo families, their friends and co-workers. As partners in the highway industry, we view contractors’ employees as extensions of our own SHA team and are deeply saddened by the loss of these two men,” said State Highway Administrator Melinda B. Peters. “This tragedy underscores the ever-present danger to roadway workers and we remind drivers of their role in keeping workers safe – it begins with driving attentively and reducing speeds.”
It is critical that motorists remember that work zone safety is everyone’s business and that work zones require every driver’s full attention. Lives of both workers and motorists are at stake. At anytime, there may be hundreds of active work zones around the State. This incident occurred along US 40 as part of a project to improve storm water management and water quality. Workers were in the process of placing barrels as part of the traffic management for today’s work.
There were three people killed and 688 people injured in 2011 in work zone-related crashes. Nationally more 1,000 people are killed in work zone related crashes; the majority of those killed, four out of five, were motorists or passengers – not workers.
In eligible work zones, SHA uses automated speed enforcement through the Maryland SafeZones program as a tool to reduce excessive speeding and encourage more attentive driving in work zones. For information about SafeZones, please visit www.safezones.maryland.gov. SHA reminds motorists to stay alert for workers, and learn the location of active work zones by consulting www.roads.maryland.gov
TWO HIGHWAY WORKERS KILLED IN WORK ZONE CRASH
Troopers are investigating a crash which claimed the lives of two contract highway workers in a work zone today in Cecil County.
The identities of the workers will not be released at this time, pending notification of family members. Both were pronounced dead at the scene by Cecil County emergency medical personnel.
The identity of the driver, of the 2006 Ford Focus, will not be released at this time, due to the ongoing investigation and pending charges. The driver refused medical treatment at the scene and is currently being held for questioning.
A preliminary investigation has been conducted by troopers from the Northeast Barrack, with the assistance of Maryland State Police CRASH Team. The investigation indicates that around 9:00 a.m. today, a 2006 Ford Focus was traveling westbound on Pulaski Highway in the area of Belvidere Road in Northeast, Maryland. For reasons unknown, the driver of the Focus entered into a highway work zone area striking two contractual highway workers. The work zone was clearly marked with orange traffic cones and other safety equipment.
State Highway Administration personnel have been notified and are at to the scene. There has been no determination of speed at this point in the investigation, nor have investigators determined why the Ford Focus entered the work zone.
Due to the severity of the crash, the amount of debris, and the ongoing investigation, troopers have closed westbound Pulaski Highway at Belvidere Road. The road is expected to be closed for several hours. State Highway Administration personnel are assisting with road closures and detours.
The Cecil County State’s Attorney’s Office has been notified and will be updated as more information becomes available. Anyone with information regarding this crash is asked to contact the Maryland State Police, Northeast Barrack at (410) 996-7800.
The cause of the crash is unknown at this time. The investigation is ongoing.
Why no release of the name of the driver? It’s been long enough.