Construction worker, 23, dies after being hit by semitruck in work zone, troopers say

KANAWHA COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ/Gray News) – A truck driver has been charged with vehicular manslaughter after a construction worker was hit and killed on Monday.

Troopers say James Harper, 23, an employee of the West Virginia Turnpike, was hit and killed while doing asphalt work near mile marker 92.

Troopers spoke to a witness who told them that the semitruck driver was seen entering the work zone with his head down.

The truck driver was later identified as Anvar Sabirov, 28, of Rego Park, New York.

Sabirov told troopers he only remembers seeing the victim appear out of nowhere.

Court documents stated the dashcam video from the truck showed it traveling through the work zone, very close to the cones, narrowly missing the witness on a roller machine before swerving and hitting Harper.

Authorities said the truck driver was not in a designated driving lane at the time of the collision.

Investigators said the dashcam video also showed other cars ahead of the truck driver in the left section of the roadway, away from the cones and workers.

Sabirov told troopers he entered the left section of the roadway, along with other drivers in the work zone, but authorities said the video showed him on the right side, barely missing the cones before hitting the victim.

Harper’s body was found inside the designated work zone and tire marks from the truck were tracked directly toward his location, court documents stated.

The truck driver’s cellphone was taken by law enforcement, and a search warrant has been requested to obtain Sabirov’s call log and app activity.

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