Update: Whatcom County worker dies after being struck by crew vehicle at job site
Whatcom County officials are mourning the death of a colleague in the Public Works Department, a Ferndale man who was killed as he was working at a construction site near East Smith and Noon roads.
Brandon W. Gipson, 42, died after he was hit by a dump truck around 9 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28. The truck was being used at the construction site, Washington State Patrol Trooper Kelsey Harding told The Bellingham Herald.
Gipson’s death was noted at the Whatcom County Council meeting on Tuesday night, where County Executive Satpal Sidhu and others praised him as a “positive and upbeat” person.
“He would get on the radio and tell everyone, ‘Have a wonderful day.’ He was known for expressing gratitude, and often thanked the operators for the great work that they do,” Sidhu said at the start of Tuesday’s meeting.
Councilman Mark Stremler, a former Public Works employee, offered a personal tribute to Gipson, who was once a member of Stremler’s work crew.
“He brought many laughs to our morning meetings, and was never shy about doing the work that wasn’t so glorious. We had a good time together working. He was a great man. So let’s keep this family, and the others involved, in our prayers,” Stremler said.
Council members observed a moment of silence to honor Gipson, who joined the Maintenance and Operations Division in 2021. He was promoted to senior maintenance worker in November.
In Tuesday’s incident, the truck was backing down the right shoulder of eastbound Smith Road in the construction zone as Gipson was walking west on the same shoulder. Gipson was pronounced dead at the scene, according to a State Patrol crash report.
The incident remains under investigation, WSP said.
This story was originally published January 28, 2025 at 1:27 PM.
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