Excavator pins and kills construction worker David Anderson at work site
INDIANAPOLIS — An excavator weighing an estimated 20 tons backed into and killed a construction worker at 9:30 a.m. Monday morning while placing concrete barriers in a construction zone at I-465 and Allisonville Road.
David Anderson, 33, of Brownsburg, Ind., was one of two workers assisting the excavator driver in placing the barriers when the excavator backed into him and pinned him against a barrier. Anderson died at the scene.
“It was just an unfortunate accident,” said Ray Poole of the Indiana State Police. No criminal charges are expected, but the Indiana State Police will be reconstructing the accident. No weather or highway traffic was involved. However, the Indiana Department of Transportation is using the accident to caution drivers going through a construction zone. Safe practices include:
- Staying alert and watching for reduced speed limits and other work zone signs along with narrow lanes and highway construction workers.
- Start merging gradually as soon as you see the sign directions to maintain a smooth traffic flow.
- Slow down! You may suddenly find slowed or stopped traffic.
- Maintain a safe distance on all sides of your vehicle and especially from the car in front.
- Pay attention! Don’t be distracted by cell phones, CD players and coffee — the three main causes of driver distraction.
- Plan for delays and allow for extra travel time. Select an alternate route if you have time constraints.
If you have any additional information on this accident, please call Mario Massillamany with the construction accident law firm of Starr Austen & Miller at (574) 722-6676.
[Source: David Anderson]