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Nesconset, NY (August 11, 2026) – A construction worker was killed and two others were seriously injured Monday morning, August 10, when a driver struck them at the intersection of Terry Road and Townline Road in Nesconset. A 911 call came in around 6:43 a.m. reporting the crash, police said.
The workers, with Rosemar Construction, were standing on the sidewalk and had not yet begun paving the road when a car came speeding down Terry Road, crossed into the oncoming lane, jumped the curb and struck them from behind, according to witnesses.
Coworkers performed CPR on 38-year-old Joel Sicon-Porix of Mastic, but he died at Stony Brook University Hospital. Kevin Chavez-Sarmiento, 30, of Bay Shore, and Jose Gonzalez-Colindres, 33, of Brentwood, were admitted with serious injuries.
Thomas Lobianco, 26, of Lake Ronkonkoma, was arrested and charged with driving while ability impaired. Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina said the driver had been going at a high rate of speed and ran a red light before striking the workers. Lobianco was not injured and is scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday.
Police said Lobianco had sat in his car in a nearby parking lot for about 20 minutes beforehand, allegedly using cannabis.
“This driver just came out of nowhere,” Rosemar’s safety director, Kevin Daponte, said, describing the vehicle striking the curb, a light pole, and then the workers.
Our condolences go out to Sicon-Porix’s family and loved ones, and we hope for a full recovery for the other two workers.
Why Are Road Crews Vulnerable Even Before Work Begins?
Road construction crews face unique risks even before any heavy equipment is running, since workers gather roadside to prepare for the day’s work. A sidewalk or shoulder that feels safely separated from traffic can still be within reach of a vehicle that leaves its lane unexpectedly.
Impairment from alcohol, cannabis, or other substances slows reaction time and affects a driver’s ability to judge distance and speed accurately. A driver under the influence may not notice a curve, a red light, or people standing near the roadway until it’s too late to correct course.
Work zones rely heavily on visual cues like cones, signage, and reduced speed limits to alert drivers well before they reach the crew. These measures only work if a driver is alert enough to notice and respond to them, which is one reason impaired driving near active or upcoming work zones carries such serious consequences for everyone nearby.
