Caltrans Halts Maintenance After 3rd Worker Killed
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) – Caltrans is stopping all routine maintenance statewide after the third Caltrans employee in 48 days was killed on the job this morning.
Caltrans announced the maintenance "stand down" this afternoon, just hours after a Caltrans worker died this morning in San Diego saying the department needs to re-evaluate their safety standards.
Richard Gonzalez, 52, died this morning was struck about 9 a.m. on the northbound Interstate 15 connector to eastbound State Route 94 in San Diego.
On May 4, Stephen Palmer, a District 11 Landscape Maintenance Worker, died from injuries after being struck by a trolley while on the job. On June 7, Jaime Obeso was killed by a hit and run driver who entered a lane closure on Interstate 8 near the Sunbeam Rest Area in Imperial County.
All routine or regularly-scheduled highway maintenanced will be halted while safety standards are revisited. Caltrans will also post notices on its 700+ electronic highway message signs asking motorists to watch out for Caltrans employees.
"Every day, highway workers put their lives in danger just by going to work," said Acting Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty. "These three tragic incidents are sobering reminders that we all must do everything we can to keep our highways safe. Motorists must slow down, watch out for highway workers and safely move over a lane when passing work crews."
Since the 1920s, 178 Caltrans employees have died while on the job.
Gov. Jerry Brown issued this statement in response to Gonzalez' death:
"Anne and I join the family, friends and Caltrans colleagues of Richard Gonzalez in mourning his death," Governor Brown said. "As we cope with this tragedy, I remind all Californians to stay alert on our roadways and slow down when Caltrans workers are present."
