One of the vehicles involved in the April 27 incident on Interstate 87. (Photo provided by the Round Lake Fire Department).
MALTA — An April 27 accident in a work zone on state Interstate 87 in Saratoga County left one CSEA member employed by the state Department of Transportation (DOT) in critical condition and two others injured.
According to New York State Police, Sherburne Hill III, 84, was traveling on I-87 north when his car collided with another vehicle. He overcorrected and struck state DOT Highway Maintenance Worker 1 Alexander Marin, who was on foot in the work zone, seriously injuring him.
Hill then struck two DOT trucks occupied by David Curry and Aaron Gagliardi, also highway maintenance workers. Gagliardi was taken to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries, while Curry was transported to the hospital for treatment.
No criminal charges have been brought at this time and the crash remains under investigation.
New York State Department of Transportation Region 1 Local President Mike Garfolo has kept in touch with the injured workers.
“Each and every day, union members work hard to repair and maintain roadways to keep the traveling public safe,” Garfolo said. “Their goal is to make it home at the end of the day. On April 27, two CSEA members did not get to go home. Instead, they were in the hospital and both face long roads to recovery.
CSEA members follow policies and procedures that are meant to keep them safe, but there is a variable we can’t control, the traveling public.”
“Too many highway workers are injured or killed in work zones each year. If we are aware of proven methods to prevent accidents, such as cameras, then we need the legislature to act,” said CSEA Capital Region President Ron Briggs. “What are we waiting for?”
Taking action
CSEA is stepping up our efforts to push for state legislation to make work zones safer.
The legislation would implement a pilot program placing automated speed cameras in highway work zones that would slow down traffic and help save lives.
“How many more crashes, injuries, or deaths will union members have to endure before something is done?” said CSEA President Mary E. Sullivan. “I’m calling on the State Legislature to pass a law putting speed cameras in work zones to force drivers to slow down.”
You can help protect highway workers by sending a letter to your state legislators. To take action, visit: https://cseany.org/workzonesafety.
— Therese Assalian
