Families Mourn Workers Killed In Boston Construction Accident
BOSTON (CBS) – A construction company is shut down in Boston after two of its workers were killed in an accident in the Financial District. A truck backed into Jordan Romero and Carlos Gutierres and knocked them into a ditch.
The two men worked for Atlantic Coast Utilities. The accident on High Street is being investigated by the both the District Attorney and OSHA as the families of the two men are desperate for answers about how they could lose their lives on the job.
Family members and friends of the victims returned to the scene Wednesday night with flowers and candles.
"I just want him to know that he's never going to be forgotten, because I looked up to him as my older brother," said Leslie Villalobos.
Her brother is 28-year-old Jordan Romero who died along with 32-year-old Carlos Gutierres. It's an accident they are still trying to understand, as witnesses say a construction vehicle suddenly backed up striking the men.
"How did that even happen? I just don't understand," said Xavier Rodriguez, a cousin of one of the victims. "Two people and then a truck just backs up."
Grieving family members rushed to the scene watching the somber recovery of the bodies hours after the accident, as first responders needed to make sure the hole was secure.
"If I could just see him one more time that's all I want. It hasn't hit me. It doesn't feel real. It honestly feels like I'm dreaming," Villalobos said.
They worked for Atlantic Coast Utilities - a company previously investigated by OSHA for safety violations and fined thousands of dollars.
Edna Gutierres says her brother Carlos was a hard worker. "He was working for his family, trying to do the best for them," she said.
District Attorney Rachael Rollins says an investigation will determine if this was a crime or an accident. Jordan Romero's family says he just wanted save money to bring his two children to the U.S. from El Salvador.
"Two lives were lost, two innocent lives," Villalobos said. "My brother was a father of two kids who are never going to see their dad again.
