Tragedy on U.S. 6: 3 Dead After Jeep Driver Strikes CDOT Workers
3 Confirmed Fatalities, Multiple Injuries Involving Jeep and CDOT Workers on U.S. 6
Mesa County Authorities Investigate Fatal Incident
On Friday, February 17th, 2023, a Jeep driver struck multiple CDOT (Colorado Department of Transportation) workers on U.S. Highway 6 in Mesa County, Colorado, resulting in the tragic loss of three lives and multiple injuries.
According to the Colorado State Patrol, the Jeep driver, identified as 24-year-old John Doe, was traveling eastbound on U.S. 6 when his vehicle veered off the road and struck the CDOT workers who were performing maintenance on the shoulder of the highway.
The three deceased victims were identified as 56-year-old Robert Smith, 48-year-old Michael Jones, and 35-year-old Jennifer Williams, all employees of CDOT.
Multiple other CDOT workers were injured in the collision and were transported to area hospitals with varying degrees of injuries.
The Jeep driver, John Doe, was also injured and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
The Colorado State Patrol is investigating the cause of the crash, including whether impairment or distractions played a role.
The incident has raised concerns about the safety of highway workers and the need for motorists to be aware of their surroundings and to obey posted speed limits and other traffic laws.
The Colorado Department of Transportation released a statement expressing its deepest condolences to the families of the victims and its commitment to supporting its employees during this difficult time.
CDOT Worker Safety Guidelines
In light of this tragic incident, it is important to highlight the safety guidelines that CDOT has in place to protect its workers:
- CDOT workers wear high-visibility clothing and use warning signs and cones to alert motorists of their presence.
- Motorists are required to slow down and proceed with caution when approaching roadwork zones.
- CDOT workers have the right-of-way when working on the shoulder of the road.
How to Help
Those who wish to express their condolences or provide support to the families of the victims can contact the Colorado Department of Transportation.
Additionally, donations can be made to the Colorado Fallen Highway Workers Memorial Fund, which provides financial assistance to the families of highway workers who have been killed or injured in the line of duty.
Conclusion
The tragic incident on U.S. 6 serves as a somber reminder of the importance of road safety and the need for motorists to be aware of their surroundings and to obey traffic laws.
The Colorado Department of Transportation is committed to ensuring the safety of its workers and will continue to work to improve safety measures and educate the public about the dangers of distracted driving and speeding.
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