Argyle ISD Suspends Work After 2 People Killed At Construction Site
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ARGYLE (CBSDFW.COM) - After two deaths in one week the Argyle Independent School District is suspending work on a new high school athletic facility.
CBS 11 News spoke with the family of Danny Moran Tuesday night and they said they're still in shock. The 22-year-old was killed after being run over by an 18-wheeler driven by his father. Moran was part of a crew moving a semi-tractor trailer on site to haul away debris from steel frame collapse on April 2 that killed worker Julio Ledesma.
Just one day after celebrating Moran's birthday his family has gathered again -- this time to grieve.
Both Moran and his grandfather were on the ground, helping guide the young man's father as he was driving the semi.
On a 911 call made to report the incident a person can be heard saying, "I'm asking for an ambulance to come out here. [The wheels] rolled over a gentleman and he's lying on the ground. He's freed of the vehicle but not moving."
According to the Denton County Medical Examiner, Moran ended up too close to the truck's rear wheels and was run over.
The death comes less than a week after a fatal collapse at the same site killed 36-year-old worker Ledesma.
The Argyle School Board called an emergency meeting Tuesday night. That's where the board voted unanimously to suspend construction on an outdoor practice facility. It was clear with the call for votes, "All in favor say aye. Aye! All opposed. No nays."
Bruce Helms, with Northstar Builders, was there for the vote. "You saw what the board action was," he said.
Helms, who is the primary contractor with Northstar, agreed to abide by the decision.
Argyle ISD officials also voted to hire a safety consultant to recommend how to move forward. They say nothing will occur until the report comes out.
Leslie Greiner's daughter attends Argyle High. She said, "It's scary. It's very scary." But the mother also said she wants the district to focus less on construction and more on the lives lost. "I feel for the families out there and I think Argyle hasn't done enough for them."
Moran's family believes a passing van may have startled him and caused him to jump tward the truck.
Northstar Builders groups issued a statement Tuesday night that said –
"We are deeply saddened by the deaths of these good men. Our hearts go out to their families, friends and co-workers.
Northstar Builders Group is responding with all available resources to ensure the Argyle project goes forward toward a successful completion.
We are cooperating fully in the investigation and we do not have all the answers at this time. We look forward to a clear understanding of what happened and the factors that contributed to the accidents."
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