Route 422 crash leaves road worker dead

The fatal accident occurred late Wednesday night on Route 422

The man was in a construction zone working on improvements when he was struck by a westbound car.

NORTH COVENTRY » A crash late Wednesday night on Route 422 westbound, west of Route 100, has left one man dead after he was struck while doing construction work.

Lee A. Boyer, 60, of Liberty, was working on the highway in the active work zone when he was struck by a Jeep Liberty travelling west. The Jeep was driven by Newstell Marable, 57, of Douglassville, police said.

Boyer was employed as the project superintendent and was assisting with setting cones for a lane closure and line painting when he was struck, according to a press release from North Coventry Police. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

PennDOT issued a statement Thursday morning in regard to the recent death of Boyer.

“PennDOT expresses its sincere sympathy to the family of Mr. Boyer and to the J.D. Eckerman Construction Company for the tragic loss they suffered last night,” it read. “We are deeply saddened by Mr. Boyer’s passing and we strongly urge motorists to use extreme care and to drive slowly when travelling through construction work zones.”

Construction zone safety for both workers and motor-

ists has been a big concern for PennDOT within the last couple of years. In 2013, there were more than 1,800 crashes in Pennsylvania work zones, an increase from the more than 1,600 work-zone crashes in 2012, according to a PennDOT press release. PennDOT even recognized National Work Zone Awareness Week back in April at the Harrisburgarea PennDOT maintenance facility.

“With crews working right next to moving traffic, it’s especially dangerous and especially important that motorists obey signs and speed limits,” said Executive Deputy Secretary Brad Mallory in a press release.

PennDOT Assistant Press Secretary, Eugene Blaum explained that PennDOT uses various methods of alerting drivers to upcoming construction zones.

“There was a police presence on site, we use arrow signs and electronic variable message signs to alert motorists to the upcoming work zones,” said Blaum. “Safety of the workers and motorists is paramount.”

North Coventry Police were assisted on the scene by Goodwill Ambulance, West Pottsgrove Police and Upper Pottsgrove Police. Fire crews present on the scene included Norco Fire Company and fire police from West End Fire Company, Sanatoga Fire Company, Ringing Hill Fire Company and Pottstown Fire Department.

The road remained closed for approximately five hours while the investigation was underway.

The investigation is continuing.

A road construction worker was killed late Wednesday night on Route 422west of Route 100in North Coventry when he was struck by a vehicle. This SUV was west bound in the construction area for a new bridge over the Schuylkill River when the accident...

TOM KELLY - FOR DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA A road construction worker was killed late Wednesday night here on Rt 422west of Rt 100in North Coventry when he was struck by a vehicle. An SUV was west bound in the construction area for a new bridge over the Schuylkill River when the accident...