Water Truck Runs Over Road Worker's Legs on I-88 Near Binghamton

A construction worker was seriously hurt when a truck ran over his legs and lower torso on an Interstate 88 bridge in the town of Chenango.

Authorities said the incident occurred in a work zone off Interstate 81 north of Binghamton just after 2 p.m. Wednesday.

According to the Broome County Sheriff's Office, it happened in a construction area that was separated from the highway's travel lanes.

Sheriff's investigators determined that the man was struck during a period of heavy rainfall. He had just exited a portable toilet when he was hit by a passing water truck.

The woman who was backing up the truck apparently did not see the man as he stepped out of the facility.

Concrete repair work is underway on the Interstate 88 bridge off Interstate 81 in the town of Chenango. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

The man, whose name was not released, sustained injuries to his legs and lower torso. He remained conscious after he was struck by the vehicle.

The injured man reportedly is a state Department of Transportation employee. He was taken to Wilson Medical Center in Johnson City. His condition was not released.

Investigators noted the portable toilet was improperly placed. It was positioned in a manner that workers who exited the toilet would be directly in the path of passing construction vehicles at the tie.

The concrete replacement work on the I-88 connector bridge is part of a $6.2 million project. Slate Hill Constructors of Onondaga County is the contractor for the job that is to be completed in November 2024.

Work in the construction zone has been suspended. It's not known when it will resume.

Slate Hill president Jeffrey Hanlon said he was unable to comment on the incident, referring WNBF News to the DOT.

The Department of Transportation declined to answer questions about what occurred. The agency released this statement to WNBF News: "There was an accident within a NYSDOT work zone. Due to privacy requirements and the fact that there is an ongoing in investigation, we are not able to provide further information at this time.”

The sheriff's office sent its report to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Agency spokesman Edmund Fitzgerald said in an email that "the Syracuse OSHA office responded and has opened an inspection."

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.

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