West Virginia (WOAY)- A man has been arrested in connection with the fatal accident that killed a West Virginia turnpike worker.
The West Virginia Department of Transportation reported on Monday, April 14, that a turnpike worker, 23-year-old James Harper of Beckley, was hit by a tractor-trailer at mile marker 92.5 southbound on Interstate 77 in Kanawha County along the WV turnpike.
Harper was part of a work crew patching the turnpike’s center section.
Authorities report that the tractor-trailer driver swerved to avoid the work zone, resulting in the trailer swinging into the work zone and striking the victim.
WVDOT reports the driver stopped following the accident to cooperate with authorities.
Witnesses on the scene reported the driver had his head down as he traveled South down the work zone approaching the victim.
After investigating and reviewing video footage from an onboard camera on the tractor-trailer, West Virginia state police arrested the driver, 28-year-old Anvar Sabirov, from Rego Park, New York.
Sabirov faces vehicular manslaughter charges.
He awaits further court proceedings in South Central Regional Jail on a $3,300 cash bail.
