WHITE PINE (WATE) - A worker was killed in an accident while working on a construction project on I-81 in Hamblen County.
Chad Rogers, 34, was walking across the northbound lanes of the interstate near Mile Marker 8 when his hard hat was blown off.
He went into traffic to retrieve the hat, but was hit by a tractor-trailer, killing him.
The driver of the tractor-trailer, Lawrence Detamore, 38, was not injured.
Rogers was an employee of Charles Blalock and Sons, the contractor on the project.
The company released this statement about his death:
"Charles Blalock and Sons Management and employees wish to
express that their hearts and prayers go out to the
family and friends of Mr. Rogers."
TDOT Commissioner John Schroer also released a statement on the incident:
"The tragic
loss of Mr. Chad Rogers, an employee of Blalock and Sons, is a stark reminder of
the dangers our highway construction workers face every single day while
building and maintaining our transportation system. I speak for everyone here at
the Tennessee Department of Transportation when I say our deepest sympathies are
with Mr. Rogers' family, friends, and fellow construction
workers."
The accident happened in a construction area on I-81near Mile Marker 8.
