Road workers killed on York roadway were employees of Somerset-based construction company
SOMERSET ― Three employees of a Somerset County-based highway construction company were killed early Wednesday when they were struck by a box truck while making road repairs along Interstate 83 in York County.
The three workers were employed by CriLon Corp., a heavy highway construction company whose headquarters is located along Industrial Park Road. In addition to Somerset, the company does business in Bedford, Harrisburg, York, Philadelphia and elsewhere, according to its website.
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Coroner provides more details
On Thursday evening, York County Coroner Pamela L. Gay released the identities of the three men through her office's Facebook page: Jesse McKenzie, 24, of Somerset; Robert Hampe, 42, of Meyersdale, and Philson Hinebaugh III, 24, of Johnstown.
Gay ruled the cause of death as multiple blunt force trauma for McKenzie and Hampe, and blunt force injuries for Hinebaugh. The deaths of all three men were ruled accidental, according to the report.
The report also said the coroner's office was called to the scene at about 3:40 a.m. Wednesday. Chief Deputy Coroner Tania Zech and Deputy Coroner Jacob Clevenger responded and pronounced the men dead at 4:49 and 4:52 a.m.
"All three workers suffered extensive injuries and died at the scene," the report said.
The Pennsylvania State Police in York are currently investigating the incident.
'Devastated by the tragedy'
A release from CriLon Corp. on Thursday to the Daily American said, "The CriLon Corp. family has been devastated by the tragedy that claimed the lives of three of our dedicated employees in the early morning hours of April 17th.
"We ask that everyone lift the families of the victims up with their thoughts and prayers in this time of need. The loss of these hardworking young men will be felt forever by the families, CriLon Corp. and the entire community. As a small, tight-knit company, this magnitude of loss is unfathomable. Words cannot simply express our feelings as we mourn the loss of our fallen coworkers.
"This tragedy re-emphasizes the need for the motoring public to be extra vigilant, avoid distracted driving and obey all posted signs at highway construction sites."
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How did the crash occur?
According to the coroner's release, dated Wednesday, the three workers were doing crack sealing along I-83 near mile marker 35.5 in Newberry Township when "the operator of a white Ryder box truck struck a crash truck that had been directing drivers with a flashing arrow into the left lane, away from the right lane construction zone.
"When the Ryder truck hit the crash truck, it then continued into the shoulder area adjacent to the right lane construction zone, striking the three workers while running up the embankment. Then the Ryder truck continued back onto the roadway before coming to rest against the jersey barrier adjacent to the left travel lane."
Work Zone Safety Week
CriLon was doing the road work as a third-party contractor for PennDOT District 8, which includes York County. According to District 8's project announcement dated April 10, the road project started Monday and the work included crack sealing on I-83 mainline and ramps from the Maryland state line to Exit 40 (Limekiln Road), and on Route 30 mainline and ramps from Abbottstown Borough to Wrightsville Borough.
The work was taking place during the evening and overnight hours, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., and was scheduled to be completed by July 10.
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District 8 officials released a statement saying, "PennDOT is deeply saddened by the news of the workers who lost their lives in the work zone crash on Interstate 83 in York County. These workers left their homes fully expecting to return safely at the end of their shift. Our hearts go out to them, their families and everyone impacted by this tragedy.
"This is National Work Zone Safety Week, and this incident drives home the fact that motorists need to be alert and drive with caution in our work zones for the safety of our workers and themselves."
This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Road construction workers killed in York were employed by CriLon Corp. of Somerset
