DOT worker hit, killed in Wayne work zone
A state Department of Transportation worker was killed Monday when he was hit by a vehicle in a road work zone in Wayne County, officials said.
The accident occurred at about 11 a.m. on U.S. Highway 70 at Capps Bridge Road, about 5 miles southeast of Princeton, where crews are working on the Goldsboro Bypass.
Tahisha M. Dukette, 28, of 107 Hanson Drive in Princeton, was westbound on U.S. 70 when her 2003 Saturn Vue ran off the highway to the left and struck William Grey Bailey in the median, according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.
Bailey, 35, of Kenly, was an engineering technician who had worked for DOT for five years. He also volunteered with the Bethany and Micro fire departments.
Two other workers narrowly avoided being hit, the DOT said.
Dukette was charged with driving while impaired, felony death by vehicle and child endangerment. The latter charge stemmed from having two children in the car, ages 2 and 9, with her at the time of the accident.
Dukette suffered minor injuries. There was no word on whether either of the children was injured. When reached at home, Dukette's husband, Ken, said their children were running around their house and appeared to be fine.
Monday marked the start of the National work Zone Awareness Week, which is designed to bring national attention to driver and worker safety and mobility issues in highway work zones.
"The entire NCDOT family sends our thoughts and prayers to his wife, Millie Bailey, and their twin 18 month old daughters," DOT Secretary Tony Tata said in a statement. "Please slow down and drive safely through work zones and elsewhere. Our team is working hard to ensure the public's safety, please help us look out for our employees."
Funeral services for Bailey will be held Saturday, 11 a.m., at Bethany Baptist Church in Kenly. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends at Parrish Funeral Home in Selma on Friday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
