New York DOT worker run over, killed by Mack Truck

Manual labor positions are among the most dangerous positions. People work around heavy machinery and large equipment. Even the safety precautions that are put in place do not always offer people the protection they need.

The family of one New York Department of Transportation employee is learning that lesson the hard way. Errol, a husband and father, was wrongfully killed when a co-worker backed over him with a Mack truck.

At the time of the accident, Errol was standing behind the truck and directing the driver as he backed up. At some point, however, the driver lost sight of Errol. Although there was construction and the driver did not know exactly where he was supposed to go, he did not stop driving.

Instead, Errol was crushed under the tires of the Mack Truck and killed.

When the police investigated the situation, they did not charge the truck driver with a crime. Their reasoning? The truck driver was sober. Although he may have been sober at the time of the accident, that does not excuse his negligent driving.

Because of his negligence, Errol’s family is left without a husband and father.

Naturally, the family is grief-stricken. They’re also looking for closure. Errol’s daughter said, “We want to know about this man who carelessly ran over my dad. We want justice to be served.”

If the family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the truck driver or the Department of Transportation, they may be able to receive compensation for lost wages and funeral expenses. In addition, they may be awarded damages for loss of consortium, or the emotional loss that follows losing a loved one.

Source: NY Daily News, “City worker crushed to death when co-worker accidently backed over him with a giant Mack Truck,” Rocco Parascandola, Joe Jackson and Samuel Goldsmith, 17 May 2011