College Park, GA (June 5, 2026) – Two landscape workers were struck while working along Interstate 85 in College Park on Thursday afternoon.
The collision happened as the two workers were performing duties near the interstate. Emergency units arrived after the strike and found both men with serious injuries. One of the workers, identified as 37-year-old Celestino Pora-Carrillo, was taken to a nearby hospital, where he died from his injuries. The second worker remains seriously hurt with life-threatening injuries.
Officials confirmed that neither the driver nor the injured worker has been identified. Details surrounding how the strike occurred have not been released, but it remains under review as more information is gathered.
We extend our sincere condolences to the family of the worker who lost his life and hold the other injured worker and his loved ones in our thoughts during this difficult time.
Risks Faced by Roadside Maintenance and Landscaping Crews on High-Speed Highways
Workers assigned to highway maintenance and landscaping usually operate in proximity to fast-moving traffic. Even when duties are performed on shoulders or controlled work zones, passing vehicles may travel at high speeds with limited space for reaction; this creates elevated risk during routine tasks such as mowing, trimming, or roadside cleanup.
Visibility is another key factor, especially when work is carried out near bends, bridges, or areas with heavy traffic flow. Drivers may not always notice crews in time, particularly when attention is divided, or traffic density is high. Large vehicles can also reduce sightlines for nearby motorists.
Many highway corridors rely on designated work-zone markings and spacing to separate crews from live traffic. However, conditions can still change quickly, and even brief lapses in awareness can lead to serious harm for workers positioned near active travel lanes.
