Patrol says there was no medical episode involved
A highway worker was killed in Platte County this week when he was struck by a truck on Hwy. 273 at Tracy.
Lloyd Crawford, age 61, of Weston, died at the scene after being hit by a truck when he was outside of his pickup placing signs for a road closure due to high water. Crawford had parked a MoDOT-marked 2019 Dodge Ram on the shoulder prior to the incident, which occurred on Hwy. 273 just west of the intersection with Hwy. 371.
The incident occurred shortly before 9 a.m. on Monday, June 28.
Crawford was a longtime Missouri Department of Transportation maintenance worker in the Kansas City district. He had nearly 18 years of service with MoDOT and was working as the Platte City maintenance supervisor.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Crawford was struck by a 2002 Chevrolet one ton flatbed truck being driven by Kenneth E. Munsterman, age 70, of Weston.
Munsterman’s truck struck Crawford and forced the pedestrian into the side of the pickup he had parked on the shoulder.
“He was more or less pinched in between the two vehicles,” said Sgt. Bill Lowe of the Missouri State Highway Patrol in an interview with The Landmark on Tuesday.
Many public comments on social media claimed that the driver was having a medical situation at the time of the crash, but Lowe said that is not the case.
“That is not accurate. He did not have any kind of medical episode right before or during the crash or anything like that,” Lowe said.
“He (Munsterman) did indicate that he had previously had (a medical condition) but that was months before,” Lowe added.
Lowe said Munsterman remained at the scene, was cooperative with investigators and did not seek medical attention.
No charges or citations have yet been issued, and the highway patrol’s major crash unit is still investigating the incident, Lowe said on Tuesday.
The highway patrol was assisted at the scene by the Platte County Sheriff’s Department and the Tracy Police Department.
Crawford had started working with MoDOT in December of 2003 as a seasonal maintenance worker and, after working various other maintenance positions, was promoted to maintenance supervisor in December of 2019.
“Our sympathy and prayers go out to Lloyd’s family,” said Chris Redline, MoDOT Kansas City District engineer. “Lloyd was a friend to many and will be missed by us all. He was a valuable employee and had a long history with MoDOT. Our hearts are heavy.”
On Twitter, Gov. Mike Parson said: “Missouri lost a dedicated team member today. Lloyd Crawford was a longtime MoDOT worker. The first lady and I send our thoughts and heartfelt prayers to Lloyd’s family and friends.”