A semi teetering off the Congress Avenue overpass at the Interstate 95 interchange in Boca Raton Wednesday morning prompted a precautionary closure of multiple lanes of I-95 southbound.
The wreck caused major traffic backups into Boynton Beach much of the morning until all lanes of I-95 were re-opened around 10:50 a.m.
RELATED: Real-time traffic| Download WPTV app
The Florida Highway Patrol said a tow truck worker, 69-year-old Richard Jason Randolph of Boca Raton, who responded to the scene stepped over the wall onto a concrete deck. While he was working, he stepped over the edge and fell onto I-95 and died, said FHP Sgt. Mark Wysocky.
FHP would not comment on whether or not Randolph, who is employed by Emerald Towing, was following safety protocols when the fatal fall occurred. OSHA is investigating the death.
The semi wreck happened at about 5:30 a.m. when the tractor-trailer was exiting I-95 southbound and crossed a median, hitting the wall. Wysocky said speed is a possible factor in the wreck.
The driver of the semi, Adrian Figueredo, 38, who is employed by JJR Transport & Logistics of Lehigh Acres, Fla., was not hurt. The Florida Highway Patrol Commercial Motor Vehicle Enforcement Unit has charged Figueredo with Driving beyond the 11 hour limit in a 14 hour period and Fatigue. Figueredo lives in Miami and has been driving for at least 6 years, according to the President of JJR Transport and Logistics.
The tractor-trailer was removed from the wall and upright around 10:20 a.m.
This is the same area where a semi crashed on March 29, causing lane closures for hours.
A third wreck at the location involving a semi occurred on Aug. 4, 2016.
After the crash March 29, the Florida Department of Transportation said they were adding more signs on the interstate in hopes of preventing future wrecks.
The widow of Richard Randolph said Wednesday that her husband was thorough in his work and never took risks.
Judy Randolph said he was a veteran in the business and always took safety protocols into account.
FHP says Richard Randolph was trying to secure the semi when he fell off the overpass.
"He was the best at what he did and he loved his job and loved the people he worked for. They're a wonderful family," said Judy Randolph.
Richard, an employee with Emerald Towing in Pompano Beach, was close to retirement before the tragedy.
The company suffered another loss in 2012 when an employee was killed on the side of the road while assisting the Florida Highway Patrol.
The widow of Richard Randolph said Wednesday that her husband was thorough in his work and never took risks.
Judy Randolph said he was a veteran in the business and always took safety protocols into account.
FHP says Richard Randolph was trying to secure the semi when he fell off the overpass.
"He was the best at what he did, and he loved his job and loved the people he worked for. They're a wonderful family," said widow Judy Randolph.
Richard, an employee with Emerald Towing in Pompano Beach, was close to retirement before the tragedy.
The company suffered another loss in 2012 when an employee was killed on the side of the road while assisting the Florida Highway Patrol.
