Stayton Man Dies in Construction Equipment Accident

Joshua Moughler, who was pronounced deceased at the scene, was working on a project repaving a portion of the highway damaged in the early December storm.

Salem-News.com

(ALSEA, Ore.) - A Stayton-area man was killed Wednesday morning when the asphalt grinder he was operating at a repaving project on Highway 34 west of Alsea rolled down an embankment.

Police say this incident was previously reported as a fatal traffic crash but it is now considered a death investigation.

According to Oregon State Police Sergeant Mark Davie, the victim, 28-year old Joshua James Moughler of Stayton, was operating an asphalt grinder on Highway 34 near milepost 31 when a portion of the pavement collapsed.

The asphalt grinder began to roll down the embankment and rolled over the victim after he fell out onto the ground. Joshua Moughler was pronounced deceased at the scene. He was employed by Hatch Company, a subcontractor for Knife River Corporation, and was working on a project repaving a portion of the highway damaged in the early December storm.

Benton County Sheriff's Office deputies, Oregon State Police troopers, and ODOT and Oregon OSHA personnel responded to the scene to investigate.

ODOT advises that flaggers will be working around-the-clock for several days at this location on a permanent fix.