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Investigators not sure what led to worker's death
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
DAYTON —The preliminary investigation of Monday's fatal construction site accident on Interstate 70 revealed that the audible signals on the dump truck that ran over a construction worker were working and the victim's ears were not covered.
But Ohio Highway Patrol investigators haven't determined what caused the truck's driver not to see the victim and what prevented the victim from getting out of the way.
Extras
The accident occurred about 9:14 a.m. in the eastbound construction zone, just east of I-75, according to Sgt. Douglas Eck.
Investigators believe Shawn Stebbins was spray painting markings on the road that was being paved when a dump truck that was moving backward ran over him, Lt. Joseph Gebhart said.
The dump truck, driven by David Wolfe, 40, of the first block of Robin Hood Drive in Greenville, was backing up to deliver asphalt to the paving equipment, Eck said.
"(Wolfe) felt something, but he didn't realize what had happened until he ran completely over him," Gebhart said.
Stebbins, 31, of the 6200 block of New Madison Coletown Road in Greenville, was killed on impact, Gebhart said.
Several people were in the construction zone when the accident occurred, but Gebhart said none of them saw the accident.
Investigators haven't determined if Stebbins' back was facing the dump truck.
Stebbins worked for Barrett Paving Materials in Dayton, according to the highway patrol.
Wolfe is believed to be a contract worker for Barrett, Sgt. Jeff Bernard said.
No citations were issued Monday. The accident remains under investigation by the highway patrol and Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
Monday's fatal construction site accident on I-70 marks the third in the Dayton area since October, according to Bill Wilkerson, assistant area director for OSHA's Cincinnati office. Between Oct. 1 and May 31, OSHA recorded 12 construction site deaths in its Region V, which includes Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2414 or kwynn@DaytonDailyNews.com.
