Construction worker fights for life, injured in Cape Coral hit-and-run

Reporter: Anika Henanger Writer: Jack Lowenstein
Published: Updated:
Credit: WINK News.

At construction site, workers show up to the job understanding the danger they face. A worker is fighting for his life after being critically injured in a crash at his job site. We warn drivers all the time to slow down, especially near construction sites.

Here is why: Anthony Joseph is lying in a hospital bed with broken bones, and he’ s hooked up to tubes. Joseph is a construction worker fighting for his life because a driver raced down a road and hit him.

Monday, Anthony was hit by a driver a his construction site along the 3500 block of SW Pine Island Rd in Cape Coral.

Linda Jospeh never imagined her smiling, 19-year-old son, Anthony, could end up in this situation — his body broken and in and out of consciousness.

“Full of joy, happy kid,” Linda said. “Healthy kid.”

A witness who sent us videos said a driver was speeding near Anthony’s construction site and hit the young flagman at the site in Lee County.

“For you to leave somebody’s child out for dead, just because you’re rushing to go get your own kids, it’s not fair,” Linda said.

Road crews have no choice but to work right alongside waves of oncoming traffic. Between 2011 and 2016, Center for Construction Research and Training said 532 workers died on the job.

That’s why Lisa Macias with Florida Department of Transportation said drivers have to make the choice to slow down.

“Be courteous as you’re driving as well, patience,” Macias said. “And just be aware of your surroundings.”

Along with speeders, workers said they fear drivers talking or texting on phones. Come October 1, Florida law gets tougher on drivers. All drivers must use hands-free devices in work zones and school zone. Fines for getting caught will be $166.

At night, workers wear reflective clothing to further aid drivers of their positioning on roads.

“You’re going to see flags, vest, lights,” Macias said.

And Anthony was doing his job when he was hit, holding a flag alongside the site his fellow workers were present.

“When he told me he was working in construction, you know, that’s what I think about,” Linda said. “Because I see construction workers on the side of the road … they’re very close to the road.”

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