BRIDGEWATER TOWNSHIP -- A flagger directing traffic in Susquehanna County was hit by a vehicle on Monday.
A contractor was working on a paving project on Route 29 just outside Montrose Monday morning when the flagger was hit in the middle of the road.
Troopers are investigating to determine if the wreck was more than just an accident.
A yellow hard hat and bright protective clothing were left on the road. The collision caused major damage to a white Ford Escape's windshield and hood.
Troopers say Mark Smith of Nanticoke was working as a flagger around 9 a.m. when the vehicle hit him. Davis was flown to the hospital in critical condition.
"It's really bad because our friend is in the hospital because of some person who wanted to cross double sided line just to pass by knowing there's signs everywhere -- men at work, road work ahead -- it's careless," said a road worker who wants to be called Geo who was visibly upset over the crash.
Paving crews looked on as the Escape that was driven by Ethan Schumacher of Montrose was towed away and troopers started to reconstruct the scene.
"Things like this shouldn't happen when there's guys out here for everybody's safety."
With signs lining the roadway leading up to construction sites, workers wonder what it will take for drivers to wake up and notice they have to slow down and be careful before somebody else gets severely hurt.
"That's why we have those signs, not just for our safety and worker safety, everybody else's safety involved."
Word of the crash involving a flagger spread quickly to other road crews working in downtown Montrose.
Workers say safety is the first priority for them and it should be for drivers as well.
"It's a pretty bad thing because nobody pays attention: they drive through the signs without paying no mind," said Frank Queiruga, TSE Excavating.
Mark Smith is listed in critical condition.
State police are still investigating, and so far there are no charges against the driver.
Route 29 near Montrose is back open.
Mark's family has created a GoFundMe page to help assist with expenses.
