We now know the name of the freeway construction worker who died in a tragic accident
Thursday night on I-64. Fifty-eight-year-old Cay F. Blankenship, of Prichard was
killed about 9:00 when a Kenworth construction truck ran over him west of the
Fifth Street exit. Blankenship was working behind the truck, moving traffic barrels
when another crew member, who couldn't see him in his mirrors, accidentally backed
over him, according to Capt. Rick Eplin of the Huntington Police Department.
"He backed up and said he 'felt the truck run over something,'" Eplin said.
Blankenship was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said they don't expect to
press charges against the driver of the truck.
"This was just a tragic accident," said Eplin.
Wilson Braley, a district engineer for the West Virginia Department of Highways
said an investigation will look into what happened and what can be done to prevent
similar tragedies from occurring again.
Blankenship is survived by his wife, Gail Wright Blankenship, their two daughters,
Deana and Nicole, and two grandchildren, Justin and Justin. His life will be celebrated
at the Christian Cemetery in Prichard, Sunday.