From the HERE City State Desk
A 24-year-old Eaton County Road Commission worker was killed Tuesday afternoon when he was hit by two trucks while directing traffic in a work zone in Benton Township, Michigan State Police said.
The crash happened about 2:30 p.m. on Lansing Road near Nixon Road. Road crews had temporarily closed the northbound lanes for construction, and flag workers were directing traffic while road commission trucks were parked nearby.
Troopers said a Chevrolet Silverado pickup had stopped at the direction of a flagger when a Kenworth sanitation truck approached and was unable to stop. The sanitation truck hit the back of the pickup and pushed both vehicles toward the parked road commission trucks. The flagger tried to get out of the way but was struck by the pickup and the sanitation truck. He died at the scene.
The pickup driver, a 33-year-old Charlotte man, and his passenger were taken to University of Michigan Health-Sparrow Hospital with injuries. The sanitation truck driver and his passenger were not hurt. Investigators said alcohol and drugs did not appear to be factors.
The road commission said the worker, whose name has not been released, was on his last day with the agency before moving to Northern Michigan. Its offices will stay closed until Monday.
State police urged drivers to slow down and stay focused in work zones. The crash remains under investigation.
