Utility Worker Killed By Falling Pole In Pine Twp.
Follow KDKA-TV: Facebook | Twitter
PINE TOWNSHIP (KDKA) -- A construction worker was killed Wednesday afternoon when a utility pole fell on top of him in Pine Township.
Around 2:30 p.m., police say the 39-foot traffic light pole fell onto 25-year-old Victor Boytos, of West Mifflin. The accident happened on Graham Road, at the intersection of Wallace and Warrendale roads in Pine Township.
The Allegheny County Medical Examiner was called to the scene, and traffic was at a standstill.
Northern Regional Police say Boytos was killed when the pole came crashing down on top of him.
According to police, crews were using a crane to put up new traffic light poles in the area when the chain from the crane broke and fell on top of the worker. He was pronounced dead on scene.
Other lights were installed across Warrendale and Wallace roads at the three way intersection.
Later in the evening, a worker was sent to the scene to put up orange netting to secure the site.
The township manager says the worker that was killed is not a township employee. He says the roads are state roads, so the installation was being completed under a PennDOT-issued permit and the developer brought in their own contractor.
Officials with PennDOT said they won't be able to find out who the developer is until Thursday morning.
OSHA is also investigating the incident, and police say they're meeting with them on Thursday morning as well.
