A New York State Thruway Authority worker was stuck and killed Thursday afternoon while setting up a work zone in Henrietta, outside of Rochester.
According to New York State Police, 62-year-old Vincent J. Giammarva, of Le Roy, was declared dead at the scene. Another Thruway worker, 58-year-old Mark Vara, was also struck and remains at Strong Memorial Hospital in critical condition.
Officials say they responded to a fatal motor vehicle collision on I-90 in the town of Chili on May 9 at approximately 12:26 p.m. A preliminary investigation revealed a tractor-trailer operated by 64-year-old Thomas Lis was traveling eastbound when it struck the two workers in a work zone. The eastbound lanes of the Thruway beyond Exit 47 were closed shortly afterward, and did not reopen until around 5:30 p.m.
As we head into warmer months, state police say more people will be traveling, more people will be on the roads and there will be more construction projects drivers have to be aware of for highway workers' safety.
“We want them to know that when you see any vehicle, it doesn’t matter if it’s an emergency vehicle, it doesn’t matter if it’s a worker on the side of the road or law enforcement or just a citizen that’s out on the side of the road: they need to try to move over and try to slow down," said New York State Trooper Lynnea Crane. "You have got to think of it as your loved one is out there on the side of the road. Honestly, you know, if you see a car off in the distance, etc., it doesn’t matter what car it is, right? Law enforcement, tow truck, anything right there on the side of the road. If you see that in the distance, and there’s a tractor-trailer in front of you, give them some grace, let them that time to get over because it takes them a little while to get there. So, you know, be courteous of other drivers.”
State police are investigating the crash. No charges have been filed.