PennDOT Worker Killed, Second Worker Injured in McKean County

Bradford man killed this morning in work zone

Clearfield, PA – A PennDOT worker, Jack Griffin, 51, of Bradford, was killed today when a vehicle crashed into a work zone on State Route 646 in Foster Township, McKean County.

“It is difficult to lose a member of our PennDOT family,” said Ron Keim, assistant district executive for maintenance in PennDOT Engineering District 2. “Our thoughts are with with Jack’s family and friends as they face this sudden and devastating loss.”

Griffin was a flag-person during a pipe replacement operation this morning when a northbound vehicle came through the work zone and struck him. The vehicle then traveled further into the work zone, striking another PennDOT employee, 13-year veteran Jim Burrows. Griffin died at the scene and Burrows was reported to be in stable condition at Hamot Medical Center in Erie.

Griffin was the 82nd PennDOT employee killed in the line of duty since 1970 and the third to die this year. Earlier this year, PennDOT workers Thomas Allen, 57, of Lebanon County and Richard Bentel, 43, of Lawrence County died in the line of duty.

Today’s fatality marks the first time a PennDOT District 2 employee died in a work-related incident. District 2 covers Cameron, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, Juniata, McKean, Mifflin and Potter counties. To honor Griffin, Secretary Allen D. Biehler, P.E., ordered all Pennsylvania state flags at PennDOT facilities to fly at half-staff for five days beginning Monday, Oct. 4.

“This tragedy prompts us again to urge all drivers to slow down as they approach work zones,” Biehler said.

Information on work zone safety is available at PennDOT’s website www.DriveSafePA.org by clicking first on the heading for “Traffic Safety Information Center” and then “Work Zone.”