SACRAMENTO – Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. today issued the following statement regarding the death of Caltrans worker Richard Gonzalez:
“Anne and I join the family, friends and Caltrans colleagues of Richard Gonzalez in mourning his death,” Governor Brown said. “As we cope with this tragedy, I remind all Californians to stay alert on our roadways and slow down when Caltrans workers are present.”
Gonzalez, 52, of San Ysidro, has been working with Caltrans since July 2008. He was struck and killed this morning by a vehicle while picking up litter along the northbound Interstate 15 connector ramp to eastbound State Route 94 in San Diego. Gonzalez is survived by his wife Ruth and two children, Ron, 22 and Erick, 12.
In response to today’s fatality, the third in 48 days, Caltrans has called a statewide safety stand down to emphasize safety procedures. All routine or regularly-scheduled highway maintenance activities are being temporarily halted to revisit and reinforce all aspects of field safety and to ask the public for help. Caltrans will post notices on its statewide network of more than 700 electronic highway message signs reminding motorists to watch out for Caltrans employees.
In memorial, Governor Brown ordered that flags be flown at half-staff over the State Capitol.