Many companies put forth the
message that the importance of safety does not end at the factory gate. We have
walked through countless employee parking lots around the globe. We have
observed many near misses in these parking lots. This story emphasizes the hidden
hazard that is present in the parking lots surrounding our aluminium plants.
The (omitted) State Highway Patrol is investigating a
fatal accident after a man was struck and killed one morning during the week of
January 5, 2020 outside the aluminium manufacturing plant where he worked.
The accident happened just after 7 a.m. along (omitted)
at a crosswalk that connects the plant to an employee parking lot.
(TV news station) has learned that other crashes have
been reported at the site in recent years.
State police said the victim, identified as a 60-year-old
man, was an employee with company which is a construction company working at
the plant.
(The deceased worker) was wearing a reflective vest
when he exited his vehicle and approached the crosswalk. He activated the
crosswalk lights and began to cross but was struck by a passing car.
The driver of that vehicle stopped and has cooperated
with authorities.
 |
| This photo was taken from a news video showing the crosswalk where the incident occurred. |
Police said there was another pedestrian accident at
the location in 2016 and there have been nine other accidents along the road in
the last five years.
"We had some complaint of people kind of
speeding, so we sent our cars and patrol officers there to run traffic,” said local
Police Chief. “You get people doing—it’s 30 miles an hour there—doing 35, 36,
34, in that range, but we really didn't have a problem to speak of.”
A spokesperson for the company released a statement
saying: "We are working with officials to gather more information. All of
us at (company name omitted) extend our deepest sympathies to the family and
friends of the (construction company) employee."
The highway patrol’s crash team has been on the scene
investigating but it may take a few weeks before a cause is determined.
The plant makes aluminium engine blocks for cars and
has been in operation since the 1990’s.
We offer our sincere
condolences to the deceased worker’s family, friends, and coworkers. We pray
for them. We also pray for the motorist who killed the worker as he was using
the crosswalk. For the rest of their lives the motorist will know that their
actions resulted in a death of a man. We would have to assume that the motorist
was distracted while driving. The pedestrian was wearing a reflective vest, and
had activated the crosswalk unfortunately that was not enough.
Sadly this is not the first
incident at this crosswalk. It is to our knowledge the first fatality. We pray
that the company just builds an pedestrian bridge or tunnel to eliminate the
pedestrian motor vehicle interaction on this road.
It will provide little comfort
to the deceased worker’s family. But, as we talk to thousands of workers around
the globe annually. We will include this incident in our general presentation.
The APSB editors learn so
much from every incident we post. This incident has motivated us to watch some
educational videos on distracted driving. We were embarrassed to say that we
could relate to each video and will make a concerted effort not to be
distracted when driving. Here are some videos that we thought were enjoyable.
Please comment.
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