PORT ANGELES — A state Department of Transportation worker has died from injuries sustained when a tree limb fell on him while working to clear a slide on U.S. Highway 101 near Indian Hill west of Port Angeles.
Neal Richards, 42, an 11-year employee of Transportation, was assigned to the Port Angeles district as a maintenance lead tech.
“I’m deeply saddened at the loss of a part of our WSDOT family. Neal’s death is a terrible tragedy, which affects us all,” said state Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond.
“Neal was a loyal employee who was truly dedicated to our transportation system. Our
thoughts and prayers go out to his family and co-workers.”
“This kind of news just rips a big hole in your heart,” said Kevin Dayton, Olympic Region Administrator.
“We take safety extremely seriously and when something like this happens, it deeply affects the
entire WSDOT family.”
Richards is survived by his wife and two children, 10 and 12.
