[Video] Six Road Workers Killed in Two Months; Caltrans Orders Systemwide Safety Stand-Down
SACRAMENTO — Caltrans announced on October 8 that six contractor roadway workers have been struck and killed across California since August 10, including three men killed on September 25 in a work zone on Interstate 10 near Blythe in Riverside County: Alfonso Vega Torres, 50, Francisco Morales Mendoza, 39, and Christopher Benavidez Guatemala, 27. The department has ordered a systemwide safety stand-down to review roadside safety procedures and will establish an executive-level safety committee.
"Six lives lost is heartbreaking. Every worker has a family and a life — they deserve to go home safe every day," Caltrans Director Dina El-Tawansy said at a press conference. CalSTA Secretary Toks Omishakin said the numbers represent families, and that workers must be protected while roads are improved. Caltrans said the leading factors in the crashes are distracted driving, impaired driving and inattention.
Caltrans also noted that California's Move Over law was expanded effective January 1: drivers approaching any stationary vehicle displaying flashing lights on a freeway must move over or slow down. The department is coordinating stepped-up work-zone enforcement with the California Highway Patrol and is urging drivers to slow down and stay focused through work zones.
(Source: Caltrans news release No. 2026-022, October 8, 2026; Caltrans press conference video attached)
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：交通厅厅长埃尔-塔万西在萨克拉门托记者会上发言（加州交通厅官方视频截图）。Caltrans Director Dina El-Tawansy speaks at a Sacramento press conference. (Caltrans video frame)
