MASON — The two road workers killed in a crash on U.S. 127 on May 26 have been identified as Bruce Wagner, 51, and Steve Spenle, 49, both of Mason.
The Ingham County Sheriff’s Office released the men’s names on Wednesday, May 27, just short of 24 hours after a 24-year-old DeWitt man lost control of his vehicle in the northbound lanes, striking and killing Wagner and Spenle. The two men were employed by the Michigan Department of Transportation, officials said.
Speed is believed to be a factor in the crash, the sheriff’s office said, and an investigation is ongoing.
The DeWitt man initially was listed in critical condition at a hospital. Officials on Wednesday said they did not have an update on his condition.
The two men were part of a rolling pothole repair detail, said Jocelyn Garza, deputy director of public affairs in MDOT’s communications office.
Garza said she believed the shoulder was closed in the area where the crash happened but noted that the incident remains under investigation, and some details are unclear.
“There’s a lot of unanswered questions right now,” she said.
“We remind our public and fellow motorists to remain focused at all times while operating a motor vehicle,” sheriff’s officials said in a news release on Wednesday. “Our freeways and roads are always in need of repair. It is our duty to look out for and protect the men and women who facilitate those repairs.”
The Michigan Infrastructure & Transportation Association also issued a statement asking drivers to be careful around work zones.
“MITA is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of two MDOT workers killed in a work zone crash on US-127,” Rob Coppersmith, executive vice president of the organization, said in the statemnt. “Our hearts go out to their families, loved ones, and colleagues during this difficult time.
“Every day, thousands of workers around Michigan show up to build and maintain the roads that connect our communities — and they all deserve to come home safely. Every fatality in a work zone is a devastating reminder that more must be done to protect the men and women who keep our roads moving.
“We call on drivers to slow down, pay attention, and remember that it is up to all of us to protect each other on the road.
“Work zones are not just traffic delays – they are someone’s workplace. Someone’s neighbor. Someone’s family member.”
Coppersmith said his group will continue to advocate for stronger work-zone safety measures and increased enforcement.
Jacob VanSickle, president of the Michigan State Employees Association, said the vehicle involved was an SUV.
“Today, we are grieving with the family, friends, and coworkers of the MDOT workers who lost their lives while serving the people of Michigan,” VanSickle said in a statement on Tuesday. “We are holding every person impacted by this tragedy close in our hearts,”
Northbound U.S. 127 was closed following the crash but was reopened about 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
The Delhi Township and Mason fire departments and MMR Ambulance assisted at the scene, as did the Ingham Regional Crash Investigation Team.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the sheriff’s office at (517) 676-8444, ext. 1957.
Three road workers and 22 motorists were killed in Michigan construction zones in 2025, MDOT said in an April 13 news release issued in advance of National Work Zone Awareness Week, There were about 6,000 work-zone crashes in 2025 and more than 1,000 work-zone injuries, according to preliminary statistics.
In 2024 in Michigan, 28 people died in 23 fatal crashes, incuding two “at work” pedestrian fatalities, according to the National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse.
It was unclear how many people have died in construction-zone crashes so far this year.
National Work Zone Awareness Week − observed the week of April 20-24 this year − has been observed for more than 20 years, MDOT said.
Susan Vela contributed to this report. Contact Ken Palmer at kpalmer@lsj.com. Follow him on X @KBPalm_lsj
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Names of MDOT road workers killed in crash on U.S. 127 released
Reporting by Ken Palmer, Lansing State Journal / Lansing State Journal
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