A WorkSafeBC investigation has detailed how a District of Oak Bay worker was fatally struck by a vehicle that left the roadway while storm drain maintenance was underway near Monterey Avenue in May 2023.
The worker was identified as Steve Seekins, a 52-year-old father of two, who died at the scene.
The incident occurred on the morning of May 17th, 2023, in a green space at the south end of the Bowker Creek Walkway.
Seekins was part of a three-person municipal sewer and storm drain maintenance crew assigned to flush and clean a section of storm pipe along Monterey Avenue.
According to the report, Seekins was positioned at a downstream storm drain access hole located approximately three metres off the roadway in a grassy area. He was kneeling beside the open access hole and removing debris dislodged by a flusher saw operating upstream.
Shortly before 8 a.m., a sport utility vehicle travelling northbound along Monterey Avenue sped past the work zone, failed to brake, and continued straight through a curve in the road.
“The SUV did not brake, but accelerated straight through the corner, jumping the curb,” the report states. The vehicle entered the green space, struck Seekins, and then collided with a large tree, which brought it to an immediate stop.
Emergency responders, including Oak Bay firefighters stationed approximately 300 feet away, arrived within minutes. Seekins sustained fatal injuries.
Related: No charges recommended in fatal crash that killed Oak Bay worker in 2023
WorkSafeBC determined that the work zone had been properly established and complied with occupational health and safety regulations.
A traffic control expert reviewed the site and confirmed the signage, cones, and layout met the requirements of provincial traffic management standards.
The investigation found that several factors limited Seekins’ ability to detect the approaching vehicle. Due to the noise generated by the flusher saw, he was wearing hearing protection, which likely prevented him from hearing the SUV or the warnings shouted by his co-workers.
At the time of the collision, he was also looking down into the access hole as required by his task and could not see the vehicle approaching.
WorkSafeBC also noted that the speed of the SUV significantly reduced the time available to react. The report stated the distance between the upstream and downstream work areas left less than three seconds for co-workers to recognize the danger, warn Seekins, and for him to respond.
In its conclusion, WorkSafeBC identified the primary cause of the incident as the vehicle entering the work zone at high speed.
“The SUV sped through a work zone and struck the labourer,” the report states. “The work zone was set up in accordance with regulatory requirements. The labourer sustained fatal injuries.”
Police recommended charges of dangerous driving causing death against the driver, who was 66-years-old at the time. However, the BC Prosecution Service declined to approve charges last year after reviewing evidence indicating the driver may have suffered a medical episode at the time of the crash.
The report also highlighted broader safety concerns related to municipal work near roadways, noting that traffic hazards are unpredictable and recommending municipalities consider ways to reduce the frequency and duration of worker exposure to traffic when planning infrastructure maintenance and replacement projects.
The WorkSafeBC investigation was approved on August 22nd, 2024.
