Construction worker hit by car in work zone has message for drivers

MANCHESTER, N.H. — A worker is recovering in the hospital from serious injuries after he was hit by a car in a construction zone on I-93 North in Manchester, New Hampshire, just south of the Route 293 split.

New Hampshire State Police said Ward Burke, 35, of Bedford, New Hampshire, was driving north just after 2 p.m. Wednesday when he lost control of his station-wagon and drifted off the right side of the road into an active construction zone.

Ward traveled through the work zone before slamming into two street sweepers and a construction worker standing in the area.

Julie Duffy told Boston 25 News she was traveling behind Ward when he suddenly veered out of his lane.

“There were probably five men standing around and all of a sudden, at the split second, my mind’s racing, I’m thinking, ‘Is this guy going to stop?’ ‘Is he going to slow down?’” Duffy recalled. “Then all the guys put up their arms and you could see them jumping out of the way and the whole car just slammed into the truck just head on.”

The two men driving the street sweepers weren’t hurt.

Tyler Smith, 27, of Raymond, New Hampshire, was struck while standing next to the street sweepers. He suffered serious injuries, but he’s expected to survive.

Smith was still in the hospital on Thursday. He sent Boston 25 News the following statement:

"New Hampshire has a move over law. I do know that people can move over. All I'm asking is for people to slow down in construction zones, if police have someone pulled over or a tow truck driver is picking up a car. All I ask for is people get off the cell phone and slow down."

Firefighters had to free Ward from his car. He also suffered serious, but non-life threatening injuries.

State police arrested Ward and charged him with reckless conduct and operating after revocation.

Anyone with information about the crash is urged to contact Trooper Eric Torrens.

Cox Media Group