David Bland speaks about his brother Randall Bland who was killed while working on the highway in 2015. David speaks at the ceremony at the West Virginia Fallen Worker Memorial in Williamstown. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

WILLIAMSTOWN – Officials with the West Virginia Department of Transportation’s Division of Highways and family of late DOH worker Randall Bland gathered at the West Virginia Fallen Worker Memorial for Highway Safety on Friday.

The event was held outside of the West Virginia Welcome Center in Williamstown with traffic cones and neon orange safety vests symbolizing the nearly 60 state transportation workers killed on duty.

“I’ve been in the service for 48 years plus now, and I’ve seen many, many lives taken out on the roadway,” said WVDOH District 3 Manager Mike Daley. “We’re blessed every day to get to come home and be with family and friends because it may be the last day.”

The memorial includes a statue of a DOH worker, a likeness of Bland, with a road sign and traffic cone to remember all fallen highway workers.

The event recognized Bland who was a husband, father, brother, and son. Bland was killed on duty when a multiple vehicle collision resulted in his death in 2015.

Traffic cones and safety vests to symbolize the 58 state highway workers killed on duty at the I-77 Welcome Center in Williamstown on Friday. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

Daley said he was in his office on the day of the accident and it changed his life forever.

“Randy was a great, great friend … he loved his family and loved the people that he worked with,” he said.

The memorial serves as a reminder for those traveling on the roads and highways to put their phone away and drive without distractions. Daley said to make sure the kids are buckled in and your eyes are on the road at all times.

“When we come to work every day, we put our lives on the line and we go out on the job and try our very best,” he said. “You may be the determining factor of whether I’m gonna come home today and see my friends and enjoy my family.”

Daley advised the public to stay vigilant when driving and drive slowly through construction zones.

West Virginia Division of Highways District 3 Manager Mike Daley speaks at the West Virginia Fallen Worker Memorial for Highway Safety on Friday. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

Bland’s brother, David was present for the ceremony and spoke about the day he found out his brother had been in an accident while at work.

“It was the saddest moment of my life,” said David. “The moment has changed the lives of his … family members and I want to remind everybody here to embrace your family every day.”

David reminded the public to stay off the cell phones while driving and to be cautious when driving through construction zones where workers are present.

“They’re out there in the heat, and the cold, and the rain, and the sunshine working hard so that you can travel on the road,” said David.

After the passing of Bland, District 3 formed a committee who wanted to memorialize him and all the state road workers who had died while working. The memorial not only serves as a reminder of those who have passed while on duty but also to raise awareness about highway worker deaths and prevention.

58 traffic cones with safety vests include the names of each state highway worker who died while working. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

Amber Phipps can be reached at aphipps@newsandsentinel.com