CMPD: Construction worker killed after falling out of truck, hitting head

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte-Mecklenburg police told Channel 9 that a construction worker was killed after he fell out of a pick-up truck while placing orange cones on the road on Monday.

Investigators said Jeffery Latka was standing on the tailgate of a work truck around 11 a.m. on Skipwith Place, off South Tryon Street, when he fell and hit his head on the curb.

Police said the truck was traveling northbound on South Tryon Street and Latka and another man in the bed area were setting out traffic cones in the right-hand lane.

Once completed, the truck then made a right turn onto Skipwith Place and drove to the intersection of Grapevine Drive. When the pick-up reached the intersection, it performed a three-point turn in order to return to South Tryon Street.

After the turn-around, the truck accelerated and Latka, who was standing on the tailgate, fell out of the bed area along with a piece of equipment, and hit his head on a curb.

He was rushed to Carolinas Medical Center, where he later died.

The driver of the truck is not facing any charges at this time, police said.

All three men were performing work for Little Mountain Builders.

Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com:

• NC mother outraged after daycare worker breastfeeds her son
• CMPD: Construction worker killed after falling out of truck, hitting head
• Teacher suspended after showing students anti-bullying video
• UNC Charlotte student, boyfriend killed in crash involving drunk driver
• Great white shark bites boat off coast of Hilton Head

Cox Media Group