Laurel is once again in mourning after a Department of Public Works employee died Friday after being struck while working behind a city vehicle at Old Sandy Spring Road and Castle Court. Neighbors and city crews gathered at the scene as first responders worked, and portions of the road were closed while investigators photographed and documented evidence. The event appears in video footage that has been shared widely on local news feeds.
A video posted on April 24 by DC News Now shows emergency crews at the corner and reports that the worker did not survive the collision. The clip has been republished by national aggregators and is driving renewed attention to roadside worker safety.
Scene and victim identification
Local reporting indicates police were called to Old Sandy Spring Road and Castle Court after the crash. According to WMAR2 News, officers said the worker was behind his work vehicle when he was struck from behind and identified the victim as 30‑year‑old Marcus Colbert; the station added that Colbert's father also worked for the department. Crews worked the scene while investigators collected evidence.
Historic coverage suggests this may be archival
That identification appears to match earlier reporting. CBS Baltimore reported that Colbert died on Jan. 23, 2017, when an SUV struck a parked car and then hit him as he worked behind a trash truck. The Prince George's County State's Attorney later declined to pursue criminal charges, a decision that prompted public frustration.
Calls for safer work zones
Colbert’s death previously prompted local leaders to promote safer driving around stopped municipal vehicles. ResponderSafety.com reported in 2017 that Laurel Public Works joined broader efforts to urge drivers to slow down and give space to crews.
At the national level, the National Waste & Recycling Association's "Slow Down to Get Around" campaign pushes similar messaging, encouraging motorists to slow down and move over for collection and maintenance crews. National Waste & Recycling Association materials note that struck‑by incidents are a leading cause of death for workers who operate around roadways and that awareness and laws can reduce those risks.
Legal aftermath
After the original investigation, Prince George’s County authorities opted not to file criminal charges. CBS Baltimore quoted the mayor of Laurel at the time saying he was "not happy" with that outcome.
The renewed circulation of the footage has residents and safety advocates revisiting longtime calls for better protections for roadside workers. We will update this report if DC News Now, the City of Laurel, or law enforcement agencies publish fresh information or a statement.
