Flagger Killed in Fatal Crash Near Boardman

On Monday. June 28, 1999, a fatal crash occurred on Hwy 730, milepost 169 which is approximately 5 miles east of Boardman. The crash occurred at a highway construction zone where contractors were installing a guardrail on a highway bridge. DEBRA ANN COUSINS, age 44, was flagging traffic for a private contractor, Sam’s Flagging. She was struck by an eastbound semi truck operated by JULIAN GARCIA LOPEZ from Umatilla, Oregon. This crash is an example of the dangers that construction workers and ODOT crews face daily at highway construction zones around the state. Strict enforcement and the doubling of fines for citations in work zones is part of the attempt by authorities to prevent these tragedies. Excessive speed and inattentive drivers are a major contributor to construction zone crashes.