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Highway worker hit by driver under the influence

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A construction contractor for VDOT is recovering from serious injuries after he was hit by a car on I-64 in a work zone.

It happened just before the Northampton Boulevard exit westbound. He was part of a pothole repair crew.

Virginia State Police arrested Thomas Ricky Moore after they say he was driving under the influence when he drove by one work zone, then into another and hit contractor Riguel Dexter Durant.

The impact left Durant seriously injured and he had to be treated by doctors at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.

Construction subcontractor Richard Miller is literally in the streets every day. It's what he does.

Sometimes, he's just feet away from moving traffic just doing his job; it's a job that's dangerous and scary at times which is why "work zone safety week" is so important.

"We're out here every day and anybody that works in the road always has that concern over being seen and over the safety of our other workers," says Miller.

The Virginia Department of Transportation says last year, 11 people were killed and more than 1,800 other workers were hurt.

"Whether it be 10 mph or 50 mph, it's gonna hurt if you get hit," says Miller.

Durant was listed in fair condition after he was seriously injured.

The man accused of hitting him was charged with DUI, booked and then released.