LITTLE HEAVEN, Del. - A Verizon worker from Dover was killed on the job Tuesday after he was pinned against his truck during a crash.
The Delaware State Police said late Tuesday that the crash happened just before 2 p.m. as 27-year-old Zachary M. Krytzer, of Milton, was driving a 2002 Mitsubishi Montero southbound on Bay Road, or SR1, just south of Clapham Road. Police said 41-year-old Heath B. Janssen, of Dover, had just completed a check of the phone lines under a manhole cover and was standing by his work truck placing equipment in the back of the truck. The truck was stopped on the southbound shoulder surrounded by cones north of the entrance to the Valero gas station on Bay Road.
Police said the Montero drifted onto the southbound shoulder and struck a mailbox and then a road reflector before striking and pinning Janssen to the back of his work vehicle. The Verizon truck was pushed forward the southbound shoulder while the Montero continued southbound and eventually came to a stop, according to police.
Heath Janssen was pronounced dead at the scene.
DelDOT Secretary Jennifer Cohan said Wednesday that Janssen lost his life while working out of his van on the shoulder of SR 1. She said that area was clearly identified as part of the work zone area for the Little Heaven Grade Separated Interchange Project.
“For the second time in less than one month, Delaware and DelDOT are mourning the loss of another worker killed in a highway work zone. Our entire agency is deeply saddened by the loss yesterday of Heath Janssen and our sympathies go out to his family, friends and his fellow employees at Verizon," Cohan said.
She went on to say, "It is simply unacceptable to lose brave highway workers in needless crashes that could be avoided. Too many drivers are speeding through work zones and are failing to pay attention behind the wheel. Drivers in Delaware can and must do better.”
Krytzer, who was properly restrained, was removed from the scene by EMS and transported to Bayhealth Kent General where, as of Tuesday night, was admitted with non-life-threatening injuries, police said.
The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is continuing their investigation into this incident and charges are forthcoming, police said.
Police added that the Montero was reported by witnesses to have been weaving between both southbound lanes of SR1 prior to the crash.
SR1 southbound was closed at Clapham Road for three and a half hours while the crash was investigated and cleared.
