Second freeway worker dies from injuries after accident on 71 Freeway in Chino

Two workers cleaning up litter along a Chino roadside are dead after a box truck driver struck them early Monday morning.

One worker was killed at the accident scene on the side of the 71 freeway, and another who was hit was taken to the hospital for injuries. Later in the day Monday, it was reported that second worker died.

The crash happened around 8:30 a.m. on the northbound 71 Freeway near Euclid Avenue, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Investigators said a box truck in the middle lane of the freeway crossed over into the slow lane and side-swiped the cleaner crew's van as it was parked on the side of the road before crashing over embankment. There was a driver inside the van, and two of the crewmembers cleaning the roadside were struck by the box truck. Caltrans contracted the crew to do the cleanup.

One worker, a 54-year-old man, died at the scene. The other, a 36-year-old man, was initially taken to the hospital with major injuries and died later. Both men are from San Bernardino. The driver of the work crew van suffered minor injuries.

The CHP said drugs or alcohol did not appear to be a factor contributing to the accident. The names of those who died have not been released yet.