A construction site in Parrish turned deadly yesterday when a 53-year-old Tampa man was run over and killed by a dump truck he was helping to guide as it backed up near Bella Mar Trail and Diamond Reef Drive, authorities said.
According to WTSP, the truck was driven by a 46-year-old woman from Wesley Chapel, and the victim, a Tampa resident, was walking behind the vehicle to guide the driver as she reversed to dump a load when the crash occurred.
Troopers told investigators the truck was backing east along Bella Mar Trail when the man, working as a spotter on foot, tripped and fell. He was then struck by the truck's right-side tires and died at the scene, according to WWSB. The incident happened in a construction zone for a new subdivision, the station reported, and left crews and investigators on scene as the area was shut down.
The Florida Highway Patrol's Traffic Homicide Unit is now leading the investigation into the fatal backover. Troopers have not yet released the victim's name or said whether any charges are under consideration, according to WWTSP, and have asked anyone with information to contact the agency as they piece together what happened.
Backing Safety At Construction Sites
Backover incidents, in which a reversing vehicle hits someone who is behind it, are a well-known hazard on construction sites and in delivery zones. Federal safety officials have long pushed for tighter controls to prevent exactly this kind of tragedy. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration advises that vehicles with obstructed rear views should have functioning backup alarms or be moved only with a trained spotter in place, and that well-planned internal traffic routes can cut down on risky backing altogether. More details are available from OSHA.
As troopers work through the timeline of the Parrish crash, investigators are expected to review what safety procedures were in place, including how spotters and drivers were coordinating at the dumping point. No additional details have been released, and officials are still asking for witnesses or any available video from the area, according to WWSB.
