Construction Worker Killed Trying to Stop Traffic in Osceola County

By Orlando Personal Injury Attorney on November 13, 2020

Driving through construction zones is something people behind the wheel of vehicles must do on a fairly frequent basis. As anyone who has had this experience will tell you, these areas are often full of traffic cones, flashing lights, temporary barriers, and even workers holding signs. All of these features are for the purpose of keeping the construction workers safe from the cars that pass through the area. Unfortunately, even this wide array of features is not enough for some drivers.

During the last few weeks of October in Osceola County, an unknown number of construction workers were at the intersection of South Poinciana Boulevard and Rail Circle. It was close to 7:00 in the morning, and the sun was only just starting to rise over the horizon. The reports did not indicate if the workers had been in the area long or if they had only recently arrived, but we do know that one of the construction personnel, a 43-year-old Longwood resident, was outside of any vehicles and in the southbound lanes of Poinciana Boulevard attempting to stop traffic.

The reports from the Florida Highway Patrol stated that the 43-year-old worker was able to stop traffic that was traveling down the leftmost lanes of this road, but that the right lane continued to move despite the efforts of the worker. One of the vehicles traveling down the right lane was being driven by a 71-year-old individual from Kissimmee. As this car attempted to pass through the construction zone, the 43-year-old worker was standing in its path. The driver of the car either failed to see the worker or believed themselves to be far enough away from the worker while passing.

Regardless of the reasons, the 71-year-old’s car struck the construction worker with significant force, inflicting numerous severe injuries on the 43-year-old. When emergency medical personnel arrived, they quickly transported the construction worker from the area to the nearby Osceola Regional Hospital for treatment. It was sometime after arriving at this medical facility that the worker was declared dead.

The 71-year-old remained at the scene of the crash and cooperated with the Florida Highway Patrol during the preliminary investigation into the incident. Updates are expected to continue as the investigation continues.

Sources:

• Construction worker struck, killed while trying to stop traffic in Osceola County

James O. Cunningham

Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.