Louisville Water Company worker killed after car crashes into crew on the job

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A Louisville Water Company employee was killed Monday while working on a fire hydrant in the Park Hill neighborhood.

The worker was hit and killed when two cars crashed near a work site at 23rd and Oak Streets about 1:15 p.m. Monday. The water company identified Jimmy Stone as the worker who died. A second water company employee, Chad Harper, was injured. He is in the hospital.

Louisville Metro Police spokesman Dwight Mitchell said it appears one of the drivers ran a stop sign and hit another car that lost control and ran into the utility crew.

Neighbors say Stone was pinned underneath the car. Angela Banta, who lives next door to the crash site, ran outside to help Stone until an ambulance arrived.

"I held his head to comfort him ... I didn't want him to be there alone," said Banta, wiping away tears. "If it happened to me or my family members, I'd want someone to do that for us."

Banta wants Stone's family to know that someone was there for him.

"I would like them to know that he wasn't alone," she said. "I hope they're OK, and I pray for them."

Neighbors said the intersection is dangerous and a hot spot for speeding and crashes. Several cars parked along the road show signs of body damage from recent crashes. Some neighbors said the fire hydrant the crew was repairing Monday had been damaged in a recent crash.

That's why Banta and other neighbors are calling for speed bumps, a four-way stop and either a stoplight or caution light to make the area safer.

Both drivers were also taken to the hospital with injuries, but they're expected to survive.

In a statement, Louisville Water Company president and CEO Spencer Bruce said honored Stone.

"Jimmy had one of the best personalities and was always willing to help,” he said. “Many may remember he and Chad last year when they saved a kitten from a fire hydrant. This action was not out of the norm for either one of them.”