Barrier rolls from overpass during construction, kills young couple, infant son in Washington

Updated Apr 17, 2015
A red tarp is draped over the barrier and the Ellis family’s crushed pickup. Photo credit: Bonney Lake PoliceA red tarp is draped over the barrier and the Ellis family’s crushed pickup. Photo credit: Bonney Lake Police

A construction project to install a sidewalk along an overpass in Washington turned tragic Monday morning when a piece of the span fell atop a pickup traveling beneath.

According to a report from the Seattle Times, Josh and Vanessa Ellis and their 8-month-old son Hudson were inside the truck and killed in the accident, which occurred in Bonney Lake. The Ellises, both in their 20s, were youth pastors at a local church.

The $1.8 million sidewalk project is intended to improve pedestrian access to the overpass on Highway 410. The project called for rebuilding the north side of the span and widening a portion of the highway.

City officials told the paper the large chunk of concrete that fell atop the Ellis’ truck was part of the original overpass, built in 1992. Officials identified the portion as a jersey barrier which rolled from the side of the overpass to the road below.

It’s unclear what caused the barrier to fall. Bonney Lake police, the Washington State Department of Transportation and WHH Nisqually, the general contractor on the project, are investigating.