News Releases
Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - August 16, 2002
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Gov. Locke Urges Citizens to Drive Responsibly in Work Zones; Orders State Flags at Half-staff to Honor Transportation Worker

Gov. Locke Urges Citizens to Drive Responsibly in Work Zones; Orders State Flags at Half-staff to Honor Transportation Worker

OLYMPIA - Aug. 16, 2002 - Gov. Gary Locke today urged citizens to drive responsibly in roadway work zones following the tragic death of Washington State Department of Transportation employee Wayne “Jake” Baardson on Aug. 12.

The governor ordered flags at all Washington state buildings to be flown at half-staff on Monday to honor Baardson. In addition, the governor will join Department of Transportation workers statewide in a moment of silence at 1:36 p.m. on Monday, the precise time Baardson was hit and killed by a motorist driving erratically a week earlier.

“On behalf of all state workers, especially those at the Department of Transportation, I grieve over this senseless tragedy,” Locke said. “Jake Baardson was a loyal worker who contributed greatly to our state’s transportation system. He was beloved by his colleagues and will be sorely missed.”

“It is my hope that this tragedy will draw attention to the dangers that many state workers face on a daily basis,” Locke said. “On any given day, there are 1,800 state employees working on your roads, and they are at your mercy. People must drive responsibly and slow down around work zones to prevent needless deaths.”

Doug MacDonald, the state’s secretary of transportation, said, “This tragedy cuts to the heart of what we do. Our people out in the field put their lives on the line every day for the good and the safety of every resident of this state. We’re asking everyone to think before driving impaired, and be willing to call the State Patrol if you see someone on the road who shouldn’t be. You could prevent something like this from happening again.”

Baardson, who worked in WSDOT’s Enumclaw Maintenance office, was struck and killed by a motorist Aug. 12 on State Route 18. The state Department of Labor and Industries is conducting an investigation of the accident. Baardson was a career employee of Maintenance Area 4, starting his employment in 1978. He is survived by his mother and two adult daughters. A private memorial service will be held on Monday.

On April 28, Locke proclaimed “Worker Memorial Day” to pay tribute to fallen workers and rededicate efforts to workplace safety and health. Every year job-related injuries and illnesses cut short the lives of more than 100 workers at work sites across Washington state.

A memorial fund has been set up at the Transportation Northwest Credit Union (P.O. Box 80847, Seattle, WA, 98108) for donations. The money will be used in part for memorials at the Department of Transportation facilities in Kent and Enumclaw, with the remainder going to the Epilepsy Foundation (3800 Aurora Avenue North, Ste. 370, Seattle, WA 98103-8721, www.epilepsyfoundation.org) at the family’s request.

Contacts:
Michael Marchand, Governor’s Communications Office, 360-902-4136
Mark Briant, WSDOT, 206-714-1636


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