PRINCETON, W.Va. — Members of the Mercer County Commission plan to seek a resolution in next year’s regular legislative session to have a bridge along the West Virginia Turnpike renamed for two West Virginia Parkways workers killed on the job nearby.
Nathan Thompson, 32, and Richard Lambert, 21, both of Kegley., West Virginia were killed when a semi ran off the highway and struck their Parkways Authority vehicles. They were out of the vehicles when it happened near the Camp Creek exit. A third worker was severely injured. The Mercer County Commission now wants to rename the Clark School Road Bridge for the two victims. The men were under that bridge when they were killed.
Mercer County Commission President Bill Archer believes it is a worthwhile gesture of respect to the men and their families.
“These were very, very good people and they need to be recognized and honored for their service,” he said.
Archer presented the idea to the West Virginia Parkways Authority at a recent meeting. There seemed to be universal support for the idea.
“I would think that should be a pretty easy thing to do to get that passed,” said Parkways Authority General Manager Greg Barr. “Of course we would support it.”
The resolution must be introduced by a member of the legislature. Archer said the county commission planned on asking their local lawmakers to make the introduction.
For Barr, the incident was a tragedy which is still being felt throughout the agency.
“We had counselors come in and meet with all of our maintenance people,” said Barr. “You realize how fast things can happen and they’re out of your control. For some people, it really bothered them.”