Authorities said an Arizona Department of Transportation worker was killed Wednesday morning while working on U.S. 10 in Phoenix.

Frank Dorizio, 55, died from injuries sustained in the crash, which occurred just before 11 a.m. Wednesday on U.S. 10 just southeast of the Valley, according to authorities. Dorizio had worked as a highway operations worker in the DOT’s maintenance unit since 2015.

According to authorities, Dorizio was setting up a sign warning drivers of pavement repairs south of Phoenix. He was struck by a vehicle near Casa Blanca Road and died from his injuries.

The driver who struck Dorizio was not identified by authorities and additional information about the incident was not immediately available. Traffic was backed up for several miles as crews worked at the scene.

“While the Arizona Department of Public Safety continues its investigation, this is a tragic reminder that drivers must stay alert around construction zones and always be prepared for the unexpected,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said in a statement published Thursday. “Lives are on the line when dedicated highway workers like Frank Dorizio are making things better for all of us in work zones.”

Dorizio is the first DOT worker to be killed working a job on the highway in more than 20 years, according to records maintained by the state agency.

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