Two drunk drivers slam into construction equipment, kill worker

A Roanoke County father of two was killed last week when not one but two drunk drivers slammed into a backhoe near which the worker was standing.  The first driver pinned the man between her vehicle the backhoe and a dump-truck, and authorities believe that when the second driver slammed into the first driver’s vehicle the man was killed.

Both drivers had recently left a downtown Roanoke bar, and were charged with involuntary manslaughter and driving under the influence.  Further investigation found that both drivers had been asked to leave the bar where they were drinking as they

This accident is a somber reminder of two important issues facing Virginians:  first, the dangers posed to construction workers on Virginia’s roadways, and second, the dangers that drinking and driving poses to the community.

Construction workers toil away on our roads, homes, and buildings, and every day they face so many dangers on the job.  Whenever we hear about accidents we want to know – was the worker properly protected and had they been given the right safety equipment?  Were they properly trained?  No worker should ever lose his or her life in a construction accident, but sadly this happens every day.

Of even greater concern are the two drivers who not only chose to get into their cars after a night of drinking but whose careless actions took the life of a father of two.  With a drunk driving death happening every 30 seconds on our nation’s roadways, many victims and advocacy groups are clamoring for harsher penalties for drunk drivers.  You can read more about what’s being done by the federal government and the State of Virginia in our library article, “Impaired Driving – What Can Be Done?”

Has your life been impacted by a drunk driver?  Or, do you have personal experience with a construction site accident or injury?  We’d like to hear from you.  Please leave us a comment or contact us today.