Twin Cities Construction Zones Turn Deadly: 2 Workers Killed In 2 Days

TWIN CITIES, MN — Two construction workers were killed in separate Minnesota highway work zones on back-to-back days this week, according to crash reports from the Minnesota State Patrol.

Both workers were struck by trucks that were reversing in active construction areas.

The first incident happened on Wednesday morning, Sept. 24, in Burnsville. Authorities said a 2016 Freightliner boom truck was backing up on southbound Interstate 35W at Burnsville Parkway when it hit a pedestrian worker.

The victim, identified as Pierre Raymon Mack, 29, of St. Paul, was pronounced dead at the scene. The truck’s driver, a North Branch man, was not injured.

One day later, Thursday afternoon, Sept. 25, a similar tragedy occurred in Maple Grove. Troopers said a 2016 Peterbilt dump truck was reversing in a construction zone on westbound Highway 610 near Noble Parkway when it struck a worker on foot.

The victim was identified as Adam Frederick Smith, 25, of Seymour, Wisconsin. The truck’s driver, a man from Port Charlotte, Florida, was not hurt.

Both reports note dry road conditions and say alcohol was not a factor.

Outside agencies assisted at each scene, including the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office and Burnsville police in Burnsville, and Maple Grove police, fire, MnDOT, and North Memorial EMS in Maple Grove.

The back-to-back fatalities come as MnDOT and law enforcement continue to remind drivers and contractors of the dangers in highway construction zones, where limited visibility, heavy equipment, and constant activity can pose deadly risks.