TDOT Crew Member Killed After Semi Veers Off Road
A Tennessee Department of Transportation worker was killed on I-40 when a semi truck veered off the road and hit him. 65-year-old David Younger died as a result of his injuries. Younger was with a crew of three TDOT trucks when the accident occurred. The crew had pulled over to repair a flat tire on one of the trucks. Two other TDOT employees were injured in the wreck, as was the driver of the semi.
Crews Face Dangerous Job
Eighteen people died in work zone crashes last year, including four TDOT workers. Over 100 TDOT workers have been lost in the line of duty since 1948. These workers are honored each year with special displays in Chattanooga, Knoxville, Memphis and Nashville.
To ensure that drivers and workers are safe in work zones, drivers are encouraged to:
- Avoid texting or tweeting while driving.
- Avoid adjusting the radio.
- Be aware of workers and equipment.
- Obey all posted speed limits and caution signs.
Move Over Law Violated
Lt. Bill Miller with the Tennessee Highway Patrol stated that the I-40 crash was under investigation because the driver of the semi violated the Move Over Law. The Move Over Law was initially enacted in 2006 and required motorists to move over to an adjacent lane or slow down when passing stopped emergency vehicles. The law was expanded in 2011 to include utility service equipment.
The accident had a profound effect on the workers involved. David Younger left behind his wife of over 40 years, and two children and grandchildren. Accidents involving semi truckscan be caused by driver negligence, speeding, overloaded trucks and many other factors.
It is important to contact a semi truck accident lawyer as soon as possible if a crash occurs. Truck companies have considerable resources available and a victim or the victim’s family should act quickly to ensure that necessary evidence is obtained.
Keeping a Safe Working Environment
All workers deserve to have a safe working environment. The Move Over Law was put in place to help ensure safety for TDOT workers, emergency workers and other personnel. Violations of this law and negligence of drivers can have a lasting impact on workers and their loved ones. Drivers should buckle up, put down the phone, and slow down in work zones.