Local

Worker who died after falling from a bucket truck after it was hit by a tractor-trailer identified

PITTSBURGH — A construction worker died after the bucket truck he was working in was hit by a tractor-trailer, leading him to fall off of the Parkway East, according to police.

Pittsburgh firefighters and medics and Pennsylvania State Police responded to the crash in South Oakland around 3:15 a.m.

During the time of the crash, there was ongoing construction in the area and the left lane was closed.

According to Pennsylvania state police, the bucket truck that the man was working in was in the left lane and the bucket he was in was extended out over to the right lane. Troopers said that’s when a tractor-trailer hit the bottom of the bucket, causing it to spin off of its axis. The worker was ejected from the bucket and fell off of the overpass.

The Allegheny County medical examiner identified the worker who died as 41-year-old Derek Cronk.

Other workers on the scene rendered aid to the man before medics arrived. He was taken to a hospital in critical condition, where he was later pronounced dead.

All eastbound lanes were shut down at the Forbes Avenue/Oakland exit, but have since reopened.

State police said the tractor-trailer driver stopped and has been cooperating with troopers.

Pennsylvania State Police continue to investigate.

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