Caltrans honors 194 workers who have died on the job

FAIRFIELD — It was a somber day for the Caltrans work family. The state Department of Transportation on Thursday honored the 194 workers, and their families, who have died on the job. “We remain committed in honoring these fallen workers and their families while imploring travelers to drive safely on our roads, protecting highway workers and the public,” Caltrans Director Tony Tavares said.

“Tragically, this year, we lost one of our own. We mourn alongside the family, friends and coworkers of Alexander Rodish, who lost his life while helping to build a safer state highway system. His legacy will continue to inspire us,” Tavares added.



Rodish was an equipment operator. He died on July 22, 2024, after being struck by a vehicle while working on Interstate 5 in San Clemente. There has been at least one Caltrans worker killed in Solano County.

Quanda McGadney, 51, a maintenance landscape worker, was struck by a hit-and-run driver on June 3, 2022, while working on Interstate 80 near Vacaville. She succumbed to her injuries at the scene. The driver was apprehended by CHP.

McGadney served the state for more than 18 years and had been with Caltrans since 2018. The 35th annual Memorial Ceremony was held in Sacramento. "During the ceremony, Caltrans emphasized road safety and reaffirmed the department’s vision of reaching zero fatalities and serious injuries on state highways by 2050.

It also used 194 signature orange cones to create a diamond 'caution sign' configuration with each displaying the name of an employee who died on duty," Caltrans said in a statement. "One black cone in the center of the diamond represented all people killed while working on the state’s highways, including private contractors, tow truck drivers, California Highway Patrol officers and other emergency responders. A second black cone represented Alexander Rodish.

" April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. "It is dedicated to educating drivers about behaviors that often divert attention from the roadway and how safe driving habits can drastically reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries on our roadways," the statement said. The commemoration also included the nine-member Caltrans Honor Guard.

Additionally, flags flew at half-staff at the State Capitol. Caltrans partners with the California Transportation Foundation on two funds to benefit the families of workers killed on the job. The Fallen Workers Assistance and Memorial Fund helps with the initial needs a surviving family faces, and the Caltrans Fallen Workers Memorial Scholarship is available to the children of these workers.

For more information or to make donations, visit the California Transportation Foundation. This year, Ashly Shaw was selected as the recipient of the 2025 Caltrans Fallen Workers Memorial Scholarship. Shaw is the daughter of Si Si Han, who was killed while on duty as a Bay Bridge toll taker in December 2017.

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