Family of one of CDOT workers killed in Mesa County crash call it ‘freak accident’

DENVER (KDVR) — The family of one of the Colorado Department of Transportation workers killed in Mesa County last week are calling it a “freak accident.”

CDOT workers Nathan Jones and Trent Umberger were killed on Sept. 4 while doing road maintenance on westbound U.S. 6 in Mesa County on the Western Slope. Colorado State Patrol said the two were standing behind their truck removing a sign from the bed when a Jeep hit them.

“Just kind of in the wrong place at the wrong time. They were doing their job,” Jones’ mother, Wendy Jones, told FOX31 exclusively on Tuesday.

CSP said both CDOT employees were wearing vests while their truck was completely off the road with its lights and sign board activated. It’s something that Jones’ family said was their first question after their deaths.

“It was just a freak accident,” said Wendy Jones. “Nobody could have predicted that I said goodbye to him that morning and said I’ll see you tonight and said I love you just like I normally do, and he just never came back home.”

Jones, 23, was born and raised in Grand Junction. He was described by his family as very involved in church programs and the Boy Scouts. His family said his final wish was to be buried in the cemetery where he did his Eagle Project.

“I was literally just talking to him recently about what would happen if either one of us passed away … His Eagle Project was putting a split rail fence up at the cemetery where he’s going to be buried and pulling weeds, and he led 120 people that day,” said Wendy Jones.

CSP said it is not known yet why the Jeep traveled out of its lane, but impairment is not believed as a factor. The passenger in that vehicle, Kathi Wallace, also died.

“We’re just taking things one step at a time. We all have gotten through the initial shock of it,” said Jones’ cousin Damian Johann. “The community has really stepped up for both of them, which has shown how big of an impact they’ve both had on our community.”

The Jeep driver still has pending charges at this time. But, Jones’ family told FOX31 they have no hard feelings for that driver.

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