Highway Worker Fatally Hit By Passing Vehicle

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — A highway worker died Saturday after he was hit by a passing vehicle.

Shortly before noon, troopers from the Maryland State Police College Park Barrack were called to the inner loop of the Capital Beltway at Maryland Route 414 for the report of a crash involving two vehicles.

The preliminary investigation indicates a highway worker with the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration, later identified as Robert Dempsey, 40, of Ellicott City, was outside of his emergency work vehicle setting up cones on the ramp from St. Barnabas Road for traffic control after a separate crash when he was hit by a Mazda CX5 traveling on the ramp, according to Maryland State Police.

The driver of the Mazda CX5, identified as Joshua Anderson, 41, of Fort Washington, was taken by ambulance to a local hospital for treatment. Dempsey was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical service personnel, police reported.

No other injuries were reported. Charges are possible pending outcome of the investigation, the state police added.

Lanes were closed for nearly five hours for the crash investigation. Assistance on scene was provided by emergency medical services personnel from Prince George’s County and Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration.

The Maryland State Police Crash Team continues to lead the active and ongoing investigation.