On April 28, 1993, the lives for the friends, family and co-workers of Juan "John" Thome changed forever.
Thome was struck and killed by an errant driver simply for doing his job. The Maintenance Landscape Leadworker was checking on a landscape crew along State Route 60 (Pomona Freeway) in the city of Diamond Bar when he was hit by a vehicle.
Sadly, California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) employees put their lives on the line every day to maintain and repair our state highway system. And since 1921, Thome and 187 other Caltrans employees have paid the ultimate price.
On April 18, hundreds of employees, family members and guests took a moment to recognize and remember workers like Mr. Thome that were killed at the annual District 7 Workers Memorial.
This year's memorial was held at the South Region Maintenance Station under the Interstate 105 (Glenn Anderson Freeway) in the city of Los Angeles.
"Every day, Caltrans employees go to work knowing that they face real risks," Caltrans District 7 Director Carrie Bowen said during the District 7 Workers Memorial April 18.
"Remembering our fallen coworkers is a sober reminder that we must continually recommit ourselves to safety every day," said Caltrans Director Laurie Berman. "I would like to appeal to those who use our travel-way, if you speed, text drive impaired, distracted or aggressively, you are putting your life at risk and you are putting others in serious danger."
was killed when a big rig crossed onto the shoulder while he was standing outside his vehicle on State Route 14 (Antelope Valley Freeway) near Palmdale. Prior to that, District 7 went 11 years without a work-related fatality.
The statewide Workers Memorial ceremony will be held April 26 at 11 a.m. on the West Steps of the California State Capitol in Sacramento.
This year, Caltrans is paying special tribute to Si Si Han, a Toll Collector who was struck and killed Dec. 2, 2017 by a driver allegedly under the influence who crashed into a Bay Bridge toll booth.
Together, we can make sure Caltrans employees and other highway workers are able to get home to their families every night.
"Highway worker safety is everyone's responsibility...Be patient. Don't speed. Be Work Zone Alert," said Caltrans District 7 Director Carrie Bowen.
Thome was struck and killed by an errant driver simply for doing his job. The Maintenance Landscape Leadworker was checking on a landscape crew along State Route 60 (Pomona Freeway) in the city of Diamond Bar when he was hit by a vehicle.
Sadly, California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) employees put their lives on the line every day to maintain and repair our state highway system. And since 1921, Thome and 187 other Caltrans employees have paid the ultimate price.
On April 18, hundreds of employees, family members and guests took a moment to recognize and remember workers like Mr. Thome that were killed at the annual District 7 Workers Memorial.
2018 #D7WorkersMemorial. A day for @CaltransDist7 to honor fallen workers who paid the ultimate price helping people get where they need to go safely. A somber reminder of how dangerous the job can be. pic.twitter.com/0iFkdZBBut— Timothy Weisberg (@TimothyWeisberg) April 18, 2018
Among the attendees was Chrstine Thome, the widow of Juan "John" Thome, and her family. Since 1993, and every year since, they have come to the District 7 Workers Memorial to pay their respects to Thome and the 36 other Caltrans employees in District 7, which covers Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, who have been killed on the job.Caltrans director @LaurieBerman32 speaking at #D7WorkersMemorial honoring and remembering fallen workers who put their lives on the line to maintain and repair our freeway system for the driving public. pic.twitter.com/TsvTpGgyHE— Caltrans District 7 (@CaltransDist7) April 18, 2018
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Since 1921, 37 Caltrans District 7 (Los Angeles and Ventura Counties) employees have been killed on the job. |
Held every year in April and May at the 12 Caltrans districts statewide, the Workers Memorial is a time to honor Caltrans workers who lost their lives helping drivers get where they need to go efficiently and safely.District 7 Director Carrie Bowen embraces family of Juan Thome at #D7WorkersMemorial. Mr. Thome, a Maintenance Landscape Leadworker, was killed April 28, 1993 by errant driver while working along SR-60 in @DiamondBarCity. Thome's family has come to every workers memorial since. pic.twitter.com/qKXnk7lVx3— Caltrans District 7 (@CaltransDist7) April 18, 2018
"Every day, Caltrans employees go to work knowing that they face real risks," Caltrans District 7 Director Carrie Bowen said during the District 7 Workers Memorial April 18.
"Remembering our fallen coworkers is a sober reminder that we must continually recommit ourselves to safety every day," said Caltrans Director Laurie Berman. "I would like to appeal to those who use our travel-way, if you speed, text drive impaired, distracted or aggressively, you are putting your life at risk and you are putting others in serious danger."
Great turnout of support for our fallen workers at 2018 #D7WorkersMemorial! Caltrans employees are not the only ones on our highway system helping drivers get where they need to go. Big thanks to our @CHP_HQ partners as well keeping roads safe! pic.twitter.com/VnXmMS5kk4— Caltrans District 7 (@CaltransDist7) April 18, 2018
was killed when a big rig crossed onto the shoulder while he was standing outside his vehicle on State Route 14 (Antelope Valley Freeway) near Palmdale. Prior to that, District 7 went 11 years without a work-related fatality.
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Caltrans District 7 electrician Jorge Lopez was struck and killed on State Route 14 near Palmdale when a big rig crossed onto the shoulder while he was standing outside his vehicle. |
Deputy District Director of @Caltrans7Mtc Deborah Wong reading the names of fallen workers at #D7WorkersMemorial, including electrician Jorge Lopez. Lopez was struck and killed Sept. 1, 2016 by a big rig that crossed onto shoulder of SR-14 near Palmdale. pic.twitter.com/oDTKl70WHr— Caltrans District 7 (@CaltransDist7) April 18, 2018
The statewide Workers Memorial ceremony will be held April 26 at 11 a.m. on the West Steps of the California State Capitol in Sacramento.
This year, Caltrans is paying special tribute to Si Si Han, a Toll Collector who was struck and killed Dec. 2, 2017 by a driver allegedly under the influence who crashed into a Bay Bridge toll booth.
— Elissa Harrington (@ElissaABC7) December 4, 2017
Si Si Han's name will be added to this plaque. Names of all CalTrans employees killed while working. pic.twitter.com/mm0B9fPv5c
Caltrans will also honor Annette Brooks, a District 4 (Bay Area) Structure Steel Painter Supervisor who was shot and killed April 24, 2017 at the Rio Dell, Calif. Maintenance Station.
Caltrans is committed to proving safe and efficient work zones, both for the traveling public and employees working on state freeways and highways. Safety is our number one priority, and honoring our fallen workers is a tragic reminder of the risks workers face every day.
Caltrans is committed to proving safe and efficient work zones, both for the traveling public and employees working on state freeways and highways. Safety is our number one priority, and honoring our fallen workers is a tragic reminder of the risks workers face every day.
Drivers can prevent tragic outcomes both to themselves and highway workers by slowing down in work zones, keeping their eyes on the road, avoiding texting and other distracted driving habits, as well as complying with the Move Over Law. Passed in 2007, it requires drivers to move over if it is safe to do so, or slow down when approaching vehicles displaying flashing amber warning lights, including Caltrans vehicles.37 District 7 (@CountyofLA and @CountyVentura) Caltrans employees have lost their lives helping maintain and repair our state highway system. Standing before them in their honor, dozens of others who have had close calls. Please be #WorkZoneAlert! #D7WorkersMemorial pic.twitter.com/1oR9mcPmoS— Caltrans District 7 (@CaltransDist7) April 18, 2018
Together, we can make sure Caltrans employees and other highway workers are able to get home to their families every night.
"Highway worker safety is everyone's responsibility...Be patient. Don't speed. Be Work Zone Alert," said Caltrans District 7 Director Carrie Bowen.