MAITLAND, Fla. – A dump truck backed over and killed a man working on The Big Drive project along I-4 in Maitland, prompting construction on the project to be halted for an unknown amount of time.
[RELATED: News 6 covers The Big Drive]
The FHP said 34-year-old Marvin Franklin, of Orlando, died in the crash, which happened around 11:30 a.m. Wednesday between I-4 and Wymore Road. Work in the area is being done a massive seven-year overhaul of I-4 through Central Florida.
"It's a dangerous job. I know they're trying to widen I-4, but it's dangerous," witness Ferren Harrel said.
FHP Sgt. Kim Montes said a preliminary investigation shows that the dump truck, which was carrying dirt, pulled into the construction zone and a worker walked behind the vehicle as it was stopped. The driver, a 49-year-old Orlando man, then backed up the dump truck and ran over Franklin, who was pronounced dead at the scene, Montes said.
"Heavy equipment like that, like a dump truck, if you survive it's a miracle," Harrel said.
Witnesses tell News 6 Franklin may not have heard the back up alarm due to wind and highway traffic.
"I imagine he did not hear because those bells are pretty loud on those trucks. I can't see any other reason why it would happen," witness Dave Griffith said.
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The contractor, SGL, said construction along The Big Drive I-4 Ultimate project will stop for an unknown amount of time. Grief counselors are also available for crews.
The contractor said it will review safety procedures, including how dump trucks enter and exit work sites, to prevent something like this happening again. SGL added that work will resume when the crews are ready and the safety standards are acceptable.
SGL said it's the first fatality for crews working on The Big Drive.
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