Three highway workers from area mourned after fatal construction-zone crash; PennDOT says driver awareness a must

Apr. 20—JOHNSTOWN, Pa. — The Somerset-based employer of three area residents killed in a crash early Wednesday at a York County construction site mourned their losses in a statement Friday, and urged the community to lift their families with thoughts and prayers.

"As a small, tight-knit company, this magnitude of loss is unfathomable," CriLon Corp. officials wrote in a statement to media. "Words simply cannot express our feelings as we mourn the loss of our fallen coworkers.

"The loss of these hardworking young men will be felt forever by the families, CriLon Corp. and the community," the company wrote.

Two of the men were Somerset County residents, and the third was from Upper Yoder Township, according to information provided by the York County Coroner's Office.

Investigators said Jesse McKenzie, 24, of Somerset; Robert Hampe, 41, of Meyersdale; and Philson Hinebaugh III, 24, of Upper Yoder Township, were killed after the operator of a box truck crashed into a truck being used to divert motorists in a construction zone on Interstate 83 near Harrisburg.

That truck continued forward on impact, striking the three workers, who were working within the construction zone to seal roadway cracks, the York County Coroner's Office said.

State police in York were still investigating the crash Friday.

CriLon employees were hired to conduct work for a PennDOT project; department officials described the crash as a tragedy during a construction-season meeting with community officials in Somerset County.

What is even more difficult is that construction zone accidents are typically avoidable, PennDOT District 9 Executive Vince Greenland said.

Too often across Pennsylvania, motorists ignore signs, posted speed limits and workers as they hurry through active construction zones, he said.

"The work those (men) were doing at the site ... is something our (employees) do all of the time," Greenland said, adding that safety and construction zone awareness must be priorities.

During the meeting in Sipesville, he said a recent bill was signed into law that will make safety cameras permanent in work zones statewide to discourage speeding.

When a camera detects a motorist is exceeding construction zone speeds by an unsafe level, a photo of their license plate is captured, and a ticket is mailed to the owner's residence within 30 days. Motorists are given one warning, followed by fines of $75 and $150.

Greenland said measures such as that are crucial to compel motorists to change their behaviors and ultimately save lives.

"Whether it is our employees, a contractor or a vendor, they need to be kept safe," Greenland said.

Deaner Funeral Home is handling arrangements for Hinebaugh, a Friedens native.

A funeral service is scheduled for 10 a.m. April 27 at Somerset Christian Fellowship, 197 Collingwood Lane, Somerset, to remember the 2018 Somerset Area High School graduate, his obituary shows.

Price Funeral Service in Meyersdale is handling arrangements for McKenzie and Hampe.

McKenzie was a Shanksville-Stonycreek High School graduate who served in the U.S. National Guard. His funeral service is scheduled for 3 p.m. Saturday at the 325 Main St. funeral home.

Hampe's service is scheduled at the same location at 2 p.m. Monday, his obituary shows.