Elk Grove Construction Worker Struck by Driver Who Was Distracted by Cell Phone

An Elk Grove construction worker was struck by a vehicle in Yolo County while operating a tractor outside Woodland Monday. His vehicle was struck by a driver who was distracted by his cell phone while traveling 65 miles per hour toward the location of the construction. 

Here are the details, courtesy of the CHP: 

Jaime A.Ruiz Fuentes, a 27-year-old male from Elk Grove was working a construction detail on northbound SR-113, south of CR-27.  Fuentes was driving a 2001 Sterling Caterpillar truck that had been outfitted to work as a construction "attenuator" vehicle, to protect construction crews. 

Fuentes was driving the Sterling in the #2 lane at approximately 15 mph, following a crew that was striping a newly refurbished portion of the roadway. John P. Bledsoe, a 64-year-old male from Woodland was approaching the construction zone in a 2003 Hyundai. 

Bledsoe was traveling at approximately 65 mph when he became distracted by his cellphone.  Bledsoe failed to notice that he was approaching the Sterling at a rapid pace.  When Bledsoe looked forward, he observed that he was about to collided with the Sterling and applied the brakes, but was unable to stop. 

The Hyundai collided into the protective "attenuator" at the rear of the Sterling. The traffic collision caused major damage to the involved vehicles and resulted in injuries to the drivers.  Bledsoe suffered from complaints of pain and was transported to Vacaville Hospital, while Fuentes refused medical assistance at the scene.