ATLANTA -- Georgia's Department of Transportation commissioner is speaking out for the first time about the death of HERO Operator Moses King.
"This sad occasion is a profound loss to the Georgia DOT family, to the Atlanta region and the emergency response communities who place themselves in harm’s way every day to ensure the traveling public’s safety," Commissioner Russell McMurry said. "Moses King was committed to making a difference on our roadways and in the lives of those who travel those roadways."
Following an accident on Interstate 75 back on August 1, 2015, King was struck by an alleged drunk driver while setting out road flares. The driver, 25-year-old Lindsay Clark, was taken into custody and faced with several traffic violations including: Driving under the influence, Reckless driving and Serious injury by vehicle.
King joined the Georgia DOT in September of 2014 as a HERO trainee. He was promoted to HERO Operator in January of 2015.
Since King's accident, two other HERO operators have been injured. McMurry said both individuals are "recovering well and improving each day."
To conclude his statement, McMurry asked drivers to always be responsible while behind the wheel.
As we mourn the loss of the very vital life of Moses King—I would be remiss to not plead with motorists to take responsibility for YOUR driving behavior. Please make it your obligation, your duty, your commitment and your way of life to Drive Alert. By doing so, --- I know that we will save lives and reduce the number of fatalities and work zone crashes.
The Georgia DOT Transportation Management Center (TMC) dispatches HEROs to traffic-related incidents around Atlanta's more high-trafficked areas to offer assistance to motorists and law-enforcement.
Police Will Escort Funeral Procession Along Atlanta Freeways On Thursday
The funeral procession for King will travel through parts of metro Atlanta on Thursday, leaving the HERO Headquarters at 515 Plasters Avenue at 11 a.m., and traveling southward along the Buford-Spring Connector, I-85, westward along I-20 and south on I-285, as it proceeds to the Cascade Road exit. The services will take place at the Murray Brothers Funeral Home at 1199 Utoy Springs Road in southwest Atlanta.
Police will close close multiple lanes of each of the highways involved while the procession passes by. Motorists are advised the traffic pace will require motorists to drive at 5-to-10 mph. The funeral services will begin at 1 p.m.
