News Summary
A construction worker, Pierre Mack, died after being struck by a boom truck while working on a highway construction site in Burnsville. The incident, which occurred during ongoing improvements on Interstate 35W, marks the fifth construction-related fatality in Minnesota for the current year. As investigations unfold, there are calls for enhanced safety measures in the industry to prevent similar tragedies. Mack, known for his dedication and enthusiasm for fishing, leaves behind a grieving family and a reminder of the risks faced by construction workers.
Burnsville, Minnesota
A tragic workplace incident resulted in the death of a 29-year-old construction worker, Pierre Mack, on Wednesday morning in Burnsville. Mack, who was employed as a cement mixer from St. Paul, was struck by a boom truck while working in a construction zone on Interstate 35W, near Highway 13 and Burnsville Parkway.
The incident occurred shortly before 9 a.m. as Mack was involved in ongoing construction improvements on the highway. Remarkably, no other vehicles were involved in the incident, which took place entirely within the designated construction zone.
The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Mack’s death. This event marks the fifth construction-related fatality in Minnesota for 2025 and represents the first construction-related death at a Minnesota Department of Transportation site since 2023.
Bernard Harris, Mack’s father, expressed profound grief over the loss of his son and emphasized the need for improved safety measures in the construction industry. Harris indicated that he prefers not to label the incident as an “accident,” suggesting a more proactive approach is required to prevent similar tragedies in the future. He specifically called for the installation of cameras and monitors on construction vehicles to enhance safety protocols.
Investigation and Safety Measures
As the investigation continues, state officials are set to review current safety standards, including specific lighting requirements for construction vehicles. In light of the tragedy, there is an increased focus on the safety measures employed in construction zones.
Current federal regulations necessitate that trucks weighing under 10,000 pounds must be equipped with backup cameras, but this requirement applies only to vehicles manufactured since 2018. Unfortunately, this does not encompass the heavier trucks often used in construction. The lack of such safety features on boom trucks is drawing attention and prompting discussions on how to improve industry standards.
The Minnesota State Patrol has confirmed that no additional vehicles were involved in the incident, which briefly slowed traffic in the area. The ongoing investigation is expected to provide further insight into the events that unfolded leading up to the fatal incident.
About Pierre Mack
Outside of work, Pierre Mack was an enthusiastic fisherman and an aspiring entrepreneur. His family remembers him as a hard worker, committed to his trade as a cement mason. The loss of Mack not only impacts his family but resonates throughout the construction community and highlights the potential dangers faced by workers in this field.
Pierre Mack’s untimely death underscores the need for ongoing conversations regarding safety protocols in construction zones. As investigations progress and information emerges, families, workers, and advocates alike are calling for a renewed commitment to safety measures, ensuring that no other families have to endure similar losses in the future.
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Additional Resources
- KSTP: Worker killed in construction accident along I-35W in Burnsville
- Wikipedia: Construction worker safety
- CBS News: Fatal construction crash I-35W Burnsville
- Google Search: construction safety standards
- Bring Me The News: Worker killed in incident at I-35W construction zone in Burnsville
- Google Scholar: construction worker fatalities
- KARE 11: Worker dies in I-35W construction zone
- Encyclopedia Britannica: construction safety
- CBS News: Burnsville I-35W construction death Pierre Mack
- Google News: construction accidents Minnesota
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