ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. – A 59-year-old man working on The Big Drive was struck and killed Monday by a piece of steel in Seminole County, officials said.
The fatal accident was reported at 2:30 p.m. in an area parallel to eastbound Interstate 4 near Cranes Roost in Altamonte Springs.
SGL Constructors, a joint venture of Skanska, Granite and Lane, the main contractor of the I-4 Ultimate project, said the victim was a subcontract employee. He was identified Tuesday afternoon as 59-year-old Curtis Popkey, an employee of Central Florida Underground of Altamonte Springs.
Officials said Popkey was fatally struck by a steel stand used to hold a piece equipment when it came loose as it was being moved by an excavator.
"Our deepest sympathies go to Mr. Popkey’s family and friends and all who knew him," SGL said in a statement. "Our focus now is to ensure that we support individuals and families affected by this tragic event."
SGL said it will conduct an investigation in partnership with local authorities.
Work has been halted on construction as a senior SGL manager is reviewing the work plans and the site with the crew.
I-4 Ultimate is a 21-mile project, which is estimated to cost $2 billion over nearly seven years.
"The entire 21-mile job site has been secured and shut down, with the exception of emergency maintenance and service patrol crews," SGL said. "(On Tuesday), work crews across the corridor will report to their respective work sites."
No other details about the accident have been released.
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