A Caltrans worker was killed when he was struck by a big-rig on the southbound 14 Freeway Thursday morning.
The victim was determined to be dead upon arrival of emergency responders, said Fire Department spokeswoman Vanessa Lozano.
The crash occurred near Crown Valley Road in Acton around 11:35 a.m., Lozano said.
A SigAlert was issued at 11:57 a.m. for about two hours in the right two lanes, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Caltrans Press Release
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) announced that an employee of Caltrans District 7 was killed today on the Antelope Valley Freeway (State Route 14) in Los Angeles County.
Jorge Lopez, 57, an electrician, was a Caltrans employee for 16 years. He is survived by his wife and three adult children.
At 11:35 a.m. today, Lopez died when he was struck by a big rig as he was standing outside his vehicle on SR-14 in Acton.
He was pronounced dead at the scene. Two other Caltrans employees in their vehicles witnessed the incident, on southbound SR-14 at Crown Valley Road.
“Today we mourn the loss of one of our own in this tragic incident. Our thoughts and focus are on supporting the family at this time. This is an unfortunate reminder of how dangerous highway work can be,” said Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty.
Lopez is the first Caltrans District 7 employee to die on the job since 2005. He is the 32nd in the history of District 7 (which includes Los Angeles and Ventura counties) and the 185th Caltrans employee to lose his life on the job.
District 7 has called a safety stand down to emphasize safety procedures. All routine or regularly scheduled highway maintenance activities are being temporarily halted to revisit and reinforce all aspects of field safety and to ask the public for help. Caltrans will post notices on its statewide network of electronic highway message signs reminding motorists to watch out for highway workers.
“These tragedies are sobering reminders that we must all do everything we can to keep our highways safe,” said Dougherty. “Motorists must slow down, watch out for highway workers and safely move over a lane when passing work crews. This is why we have the ‘Move Over’ law.”
Photo courtesy KHTS AM-1220
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48 Comments
Chris
Kevn Woodbury
It was a cal trans worker
Rudy Rude
Jordan
Enrique Henry Serrato
Wow thats sad ?
So sad.
Jennifer Salcedo Victor Yasin
Kat Henriquez so Sad?
i know
How devastating. Prayers for the family??
Condolences to the family ?
So was the rig driver not responsible then? Was it an accident
Daniel Miranda this is why traffic was bad right now. ?
I read about this earlier, i didnt realize it was south bound.
RIP and condolences to family, friends and loved ones.
My condolences and prayers go out to the Familia Lopez ?God Bless
Condolences and prayers to the family Lopez ?
??
I was with his sister when she got the call. ?Didn’t know what to do so hugged her
? don’t know when drivers will realize that life is precious and to slow down . So sorry for your loss. My condolences .
So sorry for his family and loved ones… ❤️❤️
Perfect reaction.
I am so sorry for your loss hope that people take this move over law seriously prayers to all
So sad. Maybe the driver misjudged the width of the rig or the poor guy didn’t see it coming and was reaching into his truck for tools or something. Just terrible. I would never work on the freeways. Seems more dangerous than being a police officer. RIP.
I HATE death….
Always our families worst nightmare because we have 2 unless that work for Cal Trans! Praying for his family.
R.I.P.
So sorry. RIP
RIP… So sad to hear
RIP
Slow down people! It’s not worth it..you don’t get there any faster..get off you cell phones and pay attention, please!
Please watch the boys in orange…….” Slow for the cone zone” ……..you all need to slow down life is to precious…. Rest in peace George…
So sorry RIP ?
RIP❤️
Mario Bonales
Such a shame. Happens every six days to tow truck family’s.
So sorry ????????????
This is why California has a move over law that we need to be enforced for all who work on the freeway I am a fsp driver and have close calls more often than I like so please if you see someone working on the side of the freeway slow down or move over save our lives. I am so sorry for the families loss and I wish them well.
Couldn’t have said it better
To the Lopez family; we are shock to hear of this tragedy today, your Dad was a very hard worker, good father, husband and friend. I will never forget what he did for my brother in making his life a little easier, always there when you needed him, he will be missed. RIP George your with God now, say hello to Ray for me!
He lived around the corner here in Sylmar.
I drive a rig & even in my personal vehicle I move over, not putting blame on driver, but why didn’t he move over?!! Now a family mourns a loved one, RIP Jorge lopez????????
such an avoidable tragedy.
RIP Jorge Lopez
condolences to the family.
It was sad cos he was a good friend and mi paisano Im going to miss him we were a good friends god bless him &fam.
My deepest condolences to his family. My cousin is a retired CalTrans employee. God bless❌⭕️❌⭕️?
Just found out today. I was calling him to fix my water heater.The greetings says about his passing. I was devastated. He is a good man and you can trust him. He was handy man for the last 22 years. Leave my house while he is fixing what I want him to do. We’ll miss you George Lopez