Atlas Twp.-The death of a Genesee County Road Commission worker has authorities cautioning drivers to watch for workers while in construction zones.
Captain Christopher Swanson of the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department said Dennis Bundy, 48, of Flushing, was doing survey work for the GCRC near the intersection of M-15 and Maple Road in the township on the morning of June 22 .
Bundy was apparently crossing the road when he was struck by a southbound 2006 Chevy Trailblazer driven by a 64-year-old township man. Swanson said while neither speed not alcohol are believed to have been factors, the driver was operating his vehicle with a revoked license due to a vision impairment. Though no charges we’re filed at press time, Swanson said the driver, if charged, faces a 15-year felony for driving under revoked license causing death.
Swanson said Bundy was then thrown into the line of northbound traffic, where he was struck again by a car driven by two Lapeer residents.
Bundy was pronounced dead at the scene by Genesee County Medical Examiner investigators.
The intersection was closed for about four hours following the accident, said Swanson.
Road Commission manager-director John Daly said there has not been a similar accident in 27 years, adding there is an average of one or two such deaths a year state-wide.
However, said Daly, workers are often at risk while on the job.
‘Any operation in which you put people in close proximity to automobiles moving at high speed put you at risk,? said Daly. Precautions taken by workers include the placement of construction cones in the project area and workers wearing bright orange vests to make them clearly visible.
It’s a risk Swanson said an increasing number of workers along M-15 face with construction on I-69 forcing drivers to seek alternate routes.
‘Due to I-69 construction, traffic flow has increased dramatically on M-15,? said Swanson. ‘These kinds of accidents can be avoided if drivers remove distractions.?
Daly echoed the warning.
‘Don’t get distracted by all the other things that are going on in the car. Pay attention to what’s happening in the roadway. Everything that causes you not to focus on the task associated with driving builds an additional risk.?
Daly said Bundy, an employee of the GCRC for four years, is sorely missed by his co-workers and expressed his sympathy for the family.
‘Dennis was a valued employee here at the road commission,? said Daly. ‘He was a very critical part of our professional family here. He was a good soul and a good worker.?
Bundy is survived by wife Patricia; son, Carter,16 and daughter, Colby,13 as well as by his mother, siblings, nieces and nephews.