News Summary
A tragic accident in Burnsville has claimed the life of 29-year-old Pierre Mack, a cement mixer from St. Paul, after he was struck by a boom truck during a construction project. The incident highlights serious concerns regarding safety protocols in the construction industry. With this being the fifth construction-related fatality in Minnesota this year, calls for enhanced safety measures, including better monitoring systems on construction vehicles, are growing. The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry is currently investigating the case, stirring community awareness on worker safety practices.
Burnsville, Minnesota
In a tragic incident that highlights the ongoing risks faced by workers in the construction industry, Pierre Mack, a 29-year-old cement mixer from St. Paul, was fatally struck by a boom truck during a construction project in Burnsville on Wednesday morning. The accident occurred just before 9 a.m. on Interstate 35W, near the intersections with Highway 13 and Burnsville Parkway. Mack was on the job performing construction improvements when the incident took place entirely within the designated construction zone.
The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry has initiated an investigation into Mack’s death, marking it as a critical examination of workplace safety at construction sites. The Minnesota State Patrol confirmed that no additional vehicles were involved in the incident, although traffic in the area was briefly affected as first responders attended to the scene.
This incident marks a grim statistic for the state, as it represents the fifth construction-related fatality in Minnesota for the year 2025. Furthermore, it is noted to be the first construction-related death at a Minnesota Department of Transportation site since 2023. Such incidents raise significant concerns about safety protocols and the protections in place for workers engaged in construction activities.
Family and Community Response
The death of Pierre Mack has evoked an intense emotional response from his family, particularly his father, Bernard Harris. He has publicly lamented the loss and has expressed a strong refusal to label the incident as merely an “accident,” asserting that human factors often contribute to such events. Mack was described as a passionate individual with interests in fishing and aspirations of entrepreneurship within the construction field. His untimely passing has not only devastated his family but also raised awareness among community members regarding construction safety practices.
Calls for Improved Safety Measures
In light of this tragedy, there are increasing calls from Mack’s family and advocates within the industry for enhanced safety measures on construction sites. Specifically, there is a push for the implementation of cameras and monitoring systems on construction vehicles, particularly those that utilize boom attachments. Notably, federal regulations require smaller trucks under 10,000 pounds to be equipped with backup cameras; however, these regulations do not extend to heavier vehicles such as the truck involved in this incident. This gap in safety measures has drawn attention and calls for reevaluation of industry standards.
Investigation and Future Implications
The ongoing investigation by the Minnesota State Patrol will focus on reviewing safety standards, including specific lighting requirements for construction vehicles, to determine whether any regulations may have contributed to the accident. As the inquiry proceeds, the implications of this incident continue to resonate within the community and the broader construction industry, prompting discussions about the need for prioritizing worker safety.
As investigators diligently work to uncover the circumstances surrounding Pierre Mack’s death, his family, friends, and colleagues are left grappling with an immense loss. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the inherent dangers associated with construction work and the pressing need for comprehensive safety measures to protect workers on the job.
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Additional Resources
- KSTP: Worker killed in construction accident along I-35W in Burnsville
- Wikipedia: Construction worker safety
- CBS News: Fatal construction crash I-35W Burnsville
- Google Search: construction safety standards
- Bring Me The News: Worker killed in incident at I-35W construction zone in Burnsville
- Google Scholar: construction worker fatalities
- KARE 11: Worker dies in I-35W construction zone
- Encyclopedia Britannica: construction safety
- CBS News: Burnsville I-35W construction death Pierre Mack
- Google News: construction accidents Minnesota
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MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER The MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMilwaukee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Summerfest, Milwaukee Film Festival, and the Milwaukee Boat Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce and Visit Milwaukee, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and brewing that power the local economy such as Harley-Davidson and MillerCoors. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Wisconsin's dynamic landscape.
