Two construction workers killed in car accident that shut down Great River Bridge

Two construction workers have died and a woman is facing charges after a car accident that shut down westbound traffic from Illinois into Iowa on the Great River Bridge on Tuesday.

Pearson J. Franklin, 20, of New London, and Andrew Whitcomb, 35, of Burnside, Illinois, both died from injuries in the accident, according to the Illinois State Patrol.

Emily Johnson, 21, of Gladstone, Illinois, was written a citation for Scott's Law-improper passing of a stationary emergency vehicle, improper use of electronic communication device, and failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash. Johnson also received minor injuries as a result of the crash.

At 8:03 a.m., authorities say Franklin and Whitcomb were walking behind their stationary pickup truck and trailer, which had its yellow construction lights activated, and were setting up construction barrels for a work zone in the westbound lanes of the Great River Bridge.

A 2016 Mazda CX5 traveling westbound struck a barrel and continued on, striking Franklin and Whitcomb and causing fatal injuries. The two were working for a Burlington construction company, according to the Illinois State Patrol.

The accident closed down the westbound lanes until just after 2 p.m. While the Great River Bridge was closed, travelers heading from Illinois into Iowa were directed to use either the Keokuk or Muscatine bridges to cross into Iowa.

This article originally appeared on The Hawk Eye: Two construction workers killed in accident on Great River Bridge