WVDOH officials stress work zone safety after construction worker death

CHARLESON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - The West Virginia Division of Highways hosted a press conference on Monday to draw attention to the importance of work zone safety.

This year’s conference was held in high importance after an employee of the West Virginia Turnpike was killed in a work zone incident on Monday, April 14.

‘It just don’t seem right’: Friend grieves loss of construction worker killed on WV Turnpike

A tractor-trailer driver hit and killed 24-year-old James Harper while he was filling a pothole on Interstate 77.

It happened between Kanawha City and Marmet in the southbound lanes.

Anvar Sabirov was arrested and charged with vehicular manslaughter.

Troopers say they spoke to witnesses on the scene who say they saw Sabirov enter the work zone with his head down. Sabirov told troopers he only remembers seeing the victim appear out of nowhere.

On Monday, the press conference recognizing work zone safety week began with a moment of silence honoring those who have lost their lives in work zones.

Officials say last year in West Virginia, 786 work zone crashes were recorded.

Some 1,500 vehicles were involved in those crashes that led to 263 injuries and seven deaths, WVDOH announced.

Officials on Monday strongly urged drivers to slow down, stay alert and obey signage in work zones.

“Every cone, every sign, every barrier is in place to protect lives. Both those working on the roads and those driving through.”

The national theme for Work Zone Safety Week is “Respect the zone, so we can all get home.”

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