Worker's Death Stops 405 Construction, Closures

All 405 Freeway construction and resulting closures were halted temporarily after a worker was crushed by a 3,000-pound steel beam Thursday morning.

An investigation by Cal-OSHA into the death of Kiewit worker Adolfo Figueroa, killed when a beam being lifted off a truck fell on him, is currently underway. Construction will cease for at least 24 hours while Kiewit reassesses safety measures, Dave Sotero, a Metro spokesperson, said.

"Kiewit is conducting a thorough investigation into this matter and working closely with Cal-OSHA, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority and other state and local authorities to determine the factors contributing to this tragic event," the company said in a statement.

Construction won't stop for long, Sotero said, guessing things would pick back up in about a day or two.

The company has also canceled the shifts of some workers who were affected by Thursday morning's accident, he said.

"We extend our sincerest condolences to Adolfo’s family and friends, and those who knew and worked with him at Kiewit," a statement from Kiewit reads. "Our deepest thoughts and prayers are with all of them at this time."

Metro officials released the following statement Thursday:

Metro expresses its deepest condolences to the worker's family, friends and co-workers. It is the first serious incident on the I-405 project in nearly three years of work. Further work on the entire project has been stopped while the contractor does a thorough safety review. The incident is being investigated by CalOSHA.

The accident happened about 2:30 a.m. at 11250 West Santa Monica Blvd., just east of Sawtelle Boulevard between Beloit Avenue and the southbound side of the San Diego Freeway. Figueroa was killed instantly.

California Highway Patrol officials aren't sure yet what caused the beam to fall on Figueroa.

The CHP is handling the death investigation.

Kiewit released the following statement Thursday:

We were deeply saddened to learn that early this morning one of our employees, Adolfo Figueroa, died while performing work on the I-405 Sepulveda Pass Improvements Project. We extend our sincerest condolences to Adolfo’s family and friends, and those who knew and worked with him at Kiewit. Our deepest thoughts and prayers are with all of them at this time.

The safety of those who work on our projects and the traveling public is our most fundamental value and top priority. Kiewit is conducting a thorough investigation into this matter and working closely with CalOSHA, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro), and other state and local authorities, to determine the factors contributing to this tragic event.