On April 7th, a Missouri Department of Transportation worker was struck by a motorist and killed. The 55-year-old MoDOT worker was working on Highway 100, just west of Buchheit Road, when he was struck by a car. The MoDOT man, along with other crew members, were performing normal maintenance of the road. There was a warning sign with flashing lights to notify drivers of a work zone and to slow down. An 80-year-old man driving eastbound on Missouri 100 did not notice the sign until it was too late and swerved to avoid hitting it, and instead hit the MoDOT worker around 9:15 AM. The 80-year-old man was from Hermann, Missouri. Missouri Highway Patrol reports the MoDOT worker was thrown 20 feet. He was pronounced dead at the scene. MoDOT Chief Engineer worked with the victim for over 30 years. The victim was retired from MoDOT and working as a seasonal employee. It is unknown if any charges will be filed.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 20,000 workers are injured in road construction work zones each year. In 2010, there were 514 fatalities in work zones. Work zones can be extremely dangerous to workers. These zones require a motorist to slow their speed and be attentive. However, when motorists are distracted, in a hurry, or worse under the influence, it can be deadly.
Have you lost a loved one because of the misconduct of another? If so, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim. The tragic loss of a loved one can leave you with medical bills, funeral and burial expenses, along with economic damages in the loss of income. Do not walk through this time alone. Call an attorney at Meyerkord & Kurth which is a professional family firm. Let us help you through this time difficult time. We will assist you with your claims process, working hard during the liability investigation and negotiate a settlement or even using litigation if necessary. Contact us today to receive a free consultation from one of St. Louis’ best personal injury attorneys.