Burnsville, MN – A somber day unfolded in Burnsville on Wednesday morning as a routine highway construction shift turned tragic. Pierre Mack, a respected contractor working with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), was fatally struck by a boom truck while on duty in a closed construction zone along southbound I-35W near Burnsville Parkway.
The incident occurred just after 9 a.m. in an area restricted to traffic for ongoing maintenance and improvements. According to initial reports from the Minnesota State Patrol, Mack was on foot when a boom truck, reversing within the designated work area, struck him. Despite immediate aid from fellow workers and emergency responders, Mack was pronounced dead at the scene.
He was 42 years old.
The driver of the vehicle, who remained on-site and is fully cooperating with investigators, showed no signs of impairment, officials confirmed. The incident is currently being treated as a workplace fatality, and the Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office will release the official cause of death.
Work at the site was immediately halted as investigators combed the area for details, while traffic remained largely unaffected due to the closure of the work zone. However, the emotional toll on those present was palpable.
“He was more than a coworker — he was our friend, our brother,” one visibly shaken colleague said. “You work shoulder to shoulder with someone, sharing laughs, stress, long days… and then they’re just gone.”
Pierre Mack was known among crews for his strong work ethic and quiet leadership. Described by colleagues as reliable, humble, and deeply kind, Mack had earned the respect of everyone around him.
MnDOT issued a statement later that afternoon, expressing profound grief over the loss:
“We are heartbroken by the death of one of our own. Pierre Mack was a valued member of the MnDOT contracting community, and our deepest sympathies go out to his family, friends, and coworkers. We are committed to understanding how this tragedy occurred and to reinforcing the safety of every person on our roads.”
This incident has reignited concerns about safety in highway work zones, even those closed to the public. Construction zones are tightly regulated, but the presence of heavy machinery always carries risk. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has been notified and is expected to begin a formal review.
Though the investigation is ongoing, the loss is already being deeply felt — not as another tragic headline, but as the untimely death of a man who showed up each day with purpose and pride.
As tributes begin to pour in from coworkers, friends, and family, one sentiment echoes again and again: “Pierre was one of the good ones.”
He leaves behind loved ones, a community in mourning, and a legacy of dedication that will not be forgotten.
Rest in peace, Pierre Mack — gone far too soon, but remembered with honor.