The collisions involving utility company drivers continue to pile up across the country, with the latest reports coming from California, Connecticut, Ohio, and New York. Three out of the four incidents resulted in fatalities.

Pedestrian Struck Twice in Fatal Hit & Run

A San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) employee is under investigation in connection with the hit-and-run death of a pedestrian struck by one of the utility's trucks while crossing the street in El Cajon, Ca., authorities said Jan. 10.

CBS8 said SDG&E reportedly placed the employee involved in the incident on leave pending the results of the probe into the death of the victim, 54-year-old Robert Fisher.

Fisher was initially struck by a white utility truck. The truck driver did not stop, and Fisher was later struck by a second vehicle, of which the driver then contacted the police to inform them of the victim. The vehicle believed to have been involved in the fatality, a Ford 550 utility truck, was found through “extensive follow up” and impounded, CBS8 reported.

Woman Killed in Head-on Crash

A 47-year-old woman was killed Jan. 16 when a PSEG utility truck crossed into the opposite lane of traffic and crashed head-on with the SUV she was driving, police told the Long Island Press. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene.

The PSEG truck driver, 53-year-old Michael Pepe of Bayport, was taken to Peconic Bays Medical Center, where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Both vehicles were impounded while the investigation continues.

Man Dies After Crashing Into Parked DOT Truck

The driver of an SUV was killed Jan. 3 after crashing into a parked Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) bucket truck on Route 8 northbound, near the exit 44 off ramp, reported the Litchfield County Times.

The 22-year-old victim, Christopher Watts, was taken to Charlotte Hungerford Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead from injuries suffered in the crash, state police said, as reported by the County Times.

The DOT truck was stopped while an electrical crew waited for a highway lane to be shut down so repairs could be made to a damaged street light. None of the DOT workers were injured.

City Water Crew Employees Hit By Alleged Drunk Driver

Two City of Greendale water crew employees were recently hurt in a crash while driving in a city utility vehicle. The city utility vehicle in the crash was totaled after being hit from behind by a sedan, according to Eagle 99.3. The driver of the car was arrested.

Steven Kimmon, a 16-plus year Greendale city employee was seriously injured Jan. 8 when the utility truck he was riding in was struck from behind by an alleged intoxicated driver. He suffered broken ribs, a broken clavicle, and other injuries, city officials told Eagle 99.3.

The other city employee, Charles Goodwin, has worked for the city for more than 27 years and was released from Dearborn County Hospital Jan. 7 after being treated for a concussion.

Click here to read the previous roundup of “Accident Watch” stories.

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