What Happened
A construction worker died late Tuesday night after plunging from a Taconic State Parkway overpass onto the Saw Mill River Parkway in Hawthorne, according to News 12 Long Island. Westchester County police say the incident happened at approximately 10:10 p.m. near the Exit 26 interchange, where the Taconic State Parkway crosses over the Saw Mill River Parkway.
Authorities say the man fell from the Taconic overpass and landed on the southbound lanes of the Saw Mill River Parkway below. Multiple Westchester County police units and EMS crews responded to the scene. According to News 12 Long Island, the man suffered cardiac arrest. Emergency responders performed CPR, but the worker did not survive.
Investigators confirmed the victim was a contractor working on a New York State Department of Transportation construction project in the area at the time of the fall. The man’s identity has not been released pending notification of his family. Westchester County police identified him as a man in his 30s from New York City.
The fatal incident triggered a significant overnight closure of the surrounding roadway network. The Saw Mill River Parkway was shut down in both directions, and the northbound ramp to the Taconic Parkway was also closed as investigators worked the scene. Motorists were diverted to the southbound Sprain Brook Parkway. According to News 12 Long Island, the parkway remained closed in both directions until approximately 3:30 a.m. Wednesday before reopening. The investigation into the worker’s death remains ongoing.
Location & Road Context
The Saw Mill River Parkway runs north-south through Westchester County, connecting the Bronx with communities in the lower Hudson Valley. The Exit 26 interchange where this incident occurred sits at a complex multi-level crossing where the Taconic State Parkway passes over the Saw Mill River Parkway, creating the elevated overpass structure from which the worker fell. The Sprain Brook Parkway, which served as the overnight detour route, runs parallel to the south and provides an alternate corridor for southbound Westchester traffic.
Investigation & Legal Proceedings
Westchester County police have confirmed the investigation into the construction worker’s death remains ongoing. As the victim was a contractor employed on an active New York State Department of Transportation project, the incident is expected to involve review by workplace safety authorities in addition to law enforcement. No further details on findings or any regulatory action have been released at this time.
Broader Impact
Fatal falls from heights represent one of the leading causes of death in the construction industry, and incidents involving active state DOT projects can trigger investigations by the New York State Department of Labor’s Public Employee Safety and Health Bureau, as well as federal OSHA, depending on the contractor’s employment status. This incident, occurring on an elevated interchange during overnight construction hours, underscores the acute hazards workers face on active roadway infrastructure projects.