Contra Costa County, California; Caltrans employee fatally struck by dump truck in Martinez.
Contra Costa County, California – A Caltrans construction inspector lost his life Wednesday night after being struck by a dump truck while working along Highway 4 in Martinez, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP). Authorities said the incident occurred around 10:35 p.m.
when emergency crews were dispatched to reports of a pedestrian being hit by a vehicle in the westbound lanes of Highway 4, just before the McEwen Road offramp. Upon arrival, officers discovered that the pedestrian was a Caltrans employee who had been run over by a truck operating within the construction zone.
The victim was identified as 39-year-old Mahdi Khorram, a construction inspector with Caltrans. He was rushed to a nearby hospital but later succumbed to his injuries. Investigators determined that Khorram was struck by an asphalt truck working within the designated closure area on the highway at the time of the accident.
CHP officials confirmed that Khorram was on duty performing his responsibilities as part of an overnight highway construction project when the fatal collision occurred. He leaves behind a wife and a three-year-old child.
The tragedy marks yet another sobering reminder of the dangers highway workers face on a daily basis. According to Caltrans, Khorram is the 195th employee killed in the line of duty since the agency was founded in 1921. His death highlights the continued risks associated with working in active roadway construction zones, even when closures and safety measures are in place.
Governor Gavin Newsom issued a statement on Thursday expressing his condolences to Khorram’s family, colleagues, and friends. “Jennifer and I are deeply saddened to learn of the death today of Caltrans worker Mahdi Khorram. An employee since 2023, Mahdi was a dedicated public servant committed to making our roads safer for all Californians,” Newsom wrote. He added that flags at the state Capitol and the Capitol Annex Swing Space would be flown at half-staff to honor Khorram’s memory and service.
The loss has resonated throughout the Caltrans community, where safety has long been a central concern. State officials have continually urged drivers to exercise caution in and around construction zones, reminding the public that roadway workers remain highly vulnerable to accidents. Even within controlled closures, heavy machinery and moving trucks pose significant hazards to those working on site.
The investigation into the exact circumstances of the incident is ongoing. CHP and Caltrans officials are working to determine how the collision unfolded and whether additional safety protocols could have prevented it. Meanwhile, Khorram’s colleagues and family are mourning the sudden and devastating loss of a husband, father, and public servant who was dedicated to improving California’s transportation system.
Khorram’s death underscores the importance of ongoing efforts to protect workers in construction zones and serves as a somber milestone in the history of Caltrans employees who have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving the state.
