COMMACK — CSEA has thousands of members working in positions that require them to work in dangerous outdoor environments, leaving them vulnerable to reckless drivers.
CSEA Department of Transportation (Babylon) Local Vice President Randy Acum and CSEA Nassau County Local crossing guard John Miro were both struck by impared drivers, sending them to the hospital with serious injuries. Sadly, Miro later succumbed to his wounds.
Miro was performing his duties when an impaired driver sped through a road crossing, striking him with a pickup truck. Miro, who was 70, held on for a week before passing away.
“Nassau County crossing guards work for the police department, so we’re setting up meetings with them to discuss what we can do to improve safety for the crossing guards,” said CSEA Nassau Local President Kris Kalender.
The Nassau County Local has been working with Project Thank a Cop and a local diner to provide donated meals to the Miro family during their time of grief. To thank the doctors and nurses where Miro received care, the Miro family asked that at least one of their meals be delivered to the hospital.
For his funeral, Miro received many of the same ceremonial observances as a first responder, although the family’s modesty prevented them from accepting all the traditional formalities.
Long road to recovery
When Acum received a call from local police asking for the DOT’s help closing the road and detouring traffic away from the site of a drunk driving crash, he quickly assembled a crew.
While Acum was at the back of the DOT truck checking to see that the blinking arrow and the “Move Over” sign were on, he was hit by another drunk driver.
Acum recalled that his head hit the windshield, and he was thrown forward about 30 to 40 feet, maybe more. Luckily, two officers conducting an investigation of the previous accident spotted Acum, pulled him to the road shoulder and performed CPR.
Soon after, an ambulance rushed Acum to the hospital, where he was whisked into surgery.
“Had everyone not acted so quickly, I don’t know if I would have made it,” said Acum.
The hours that followed were traumatic for Acum, his family, and his colleagues. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief when they were told that he was alive and made it through surgery successfully.
Acum was released from the hospital almost two weeks later. He was surprised to find his fellow DOT local members lining the hospital exit, clapping and cheering as a nurse, who is also a CSEA member, escorted him to his car. As a sign of respect, Acum received a police escort home.
“This is the beginning of what will be months and months of OT [occupational therapy] and PT [physical therapy],” said Acum. “I’ll need to strengthen my body to walk and use my right arm again. There could be some other issues going forward, but we’ll see what happens.”
CSEA has consistently been in contact with the governor’s office to improve safety for road workers, but true safety is contingent on the cooperation of the public. CSEA’s Occupational Safety and Health Department investigated both incidents.
“People aren’t following the rules of the road,” said Acum. “They’re speeding or driving on the shoulder or through our work zones. People need to take accountability for what they do behind the wheel. You are responsible for your own safety and the safety of others around you.”
— Wendi Bowie