I-4 Ultimate construction halted after falling beam kills worker, injures another

ORLANDO, Fla. — Construction on the I-4 Ultimate project was suspended Saturday night after a worker died and another was injured by a falling beam in downtown Orlando.

SGL, the project's contractor, said the incident happened around 6:30 p.m. near Lake Lucerne, not far from the Interstate 4-State Road 408 interchange.

Police said Ulises Corrales-Ibarra, 37, died after a beam crashed down in the construction area.

"We found that one patient was already transported from the scene by bystanders to the hospital. Unfortunately, another was heavily trapped. He succumbed to his injuries, and we remained on scene to assist with removing him," Orlando fire District Chief Walter Lewis said.

David Trujillo was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, SGL said.

SGL said that due to the death, work along all 21 miles of the project site has been suspended except for emergency maintenance. The joint venture said construction could resume as early as Wednesday morning.

"No concrete girder placement will restart until we have identified the factors that contributed to Saturday's incident," an SGL spokesman said. "Steel girder placement may resume sooner as the investigation progresses."

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating the accident.

Five workers have been killed since the I-4 Ultimate project began. Click here to read about those deaths.

The Florida Department of Transportation released the following statement about the worker's death:

"Florida Department of Transportation's (FDOT) vision statement says this: "As one FDOT team, we serve the people of Florida by providing a transportation network that is well planned, supports economic growth, and has the goal of being congestion and fatality free."

It is our view the goal of fatality free extends to FDOT construction and maintenance projects, and to the contractors that perform the work.

We are saddened to hear about last night's tragic event. We would like to offer sincere sympathy and condolence to the family during this difficult time.

The incident is under investigation by SGL Constructors. The FDOT expects a full accounting from the contractor as to the cause. Furthermore, FDOT will require corrective measures be put in place to prevent further injuries and deaths associated with this project. This includes an after action plan for increased safety and renewed emphasis that the contractor continues enforcing a culture of safety during all aspects of the I-4 Ultimate project."

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Cox Media Group