IN construction worker fatally struck by vehicle; motorist fled scene on foot

2010-03-16 21:47:55 (GMT) (JusticeNewsFlash.com - Construction Accidents, Justice News Flash)

Motorist drove through construction zone, fatally striking worker.

Legal News for Indiana Construction Accident Attorneys. A contractor was violently struck by a car while filling potholes in a clearly marked construction zone.

Indiana construction accident attorney alerts- Indiana State Police are looking for the driver of a car that struck a construction worker in a closed off area of the Borman Expressway.

Lake Station, IN—A construction worker was fatally injured in a traffic accident on the Frank Borman Expressway (Interstate 80/94) on Tuesday, March 16, 2010. Although other construction employees at the scene attempted to stop the motorist from leaving the scene by standing in front of his car, that didn’t stop him from escaping on foot, according to information provided by ABCLocal.com.

It was unknown why the driver of a 1993 Mercury Cougar proceeded to travel through an unmistakably marked off construction zone in the westbound lanes of Interstate 80/94. According to Indiana State Police Sgt. Ann Wojas, “They had message boards. They had arrow boards out there. They had construction barrels that were blocking these lanes. And they also had other signage out there telling them the two left lanes were closed.” Nonetheless, the unidentified motorist drove through the closed off lanes of the roadway, consequently plowing into a contractor at approximately 1:30 a.m. The construction worker, identified as Christopher Jenkins, 45, smashed through the windshield of the vehicle on impact, reportedly striking the driver inside the Mercury. Jenkins, a Walsh Construction worker, was seemingly pronounced dead at the scene.

After the horrifying incident occurred, Jenkins’ fellow employees reportedly stood in front of the Mercury so the driver could not flee the scene… via automobile, that is. The driver reportedly ran away, crossing construction barrier walls, construction sites, and multiple-lane roadways, as a means of escape. Police are reportedly “confident they have the identity of the driver and encourage anyone who is helping him to call the police”. Reports did not disclose whether OSHA had been notified of the fatal on-the-job accident. Investigations continue.

Legal News Reporter: Sandra Quinlan- Legal News for Indiana Construction Accident Lawyers.