PITTSTOWN, N.Y. (NEWS10) — New York State Route 7 in Pittstown was shut down for hours Thursday afternoon after a car crashed into a New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) supervisor sending him to the hospital with catastrophic injuries. Tragically, the worker, who is also a local fire chief, passed away Friday morning. The fire department and the community he called home are reacting to the tragic loss.  

Janet Spitz, Jeweler & Designer of Hoosick Falls Jewelry said, “This is very personal and distressing for all of us. Let me just say that to start.”

Robert Bornt, 54, had been with DOT for 22 years, and he was also the Hoosick Falls Village Fire Chief, a department he worked with for over three decades.  

The jewelry designer said the reason the community is at such a loss is because, “A lot of people take a job with a town or a village, and they take a salary, and they do their job, and that’s fine. And they come and they go. And there is nothing wrong with that. That was not Robert.”

She went on to say the fire chief is loved by everyone in the village, including her.  She said he accomplished so many great things and made so many people happy. “He volunteered to not only to do a job, the fire job, the fire chief job, but so many more things that he created that weren’t even necessarily part of that job. For example, every year he would organize a chicken barbecue.”

She explained to NEWS10 reporter James De La Fuente the chief would organize a Halloween party for the kids, so they weren’t in danger trick or treating on the streets. She also said the chief brought the village a July spectacular.

“A fireworks display in the middle of the summer. He would have a fall dance for kids. I mean, where does this come from? This is not in the job description for a fire chief.” Her eyes tearing up as she spoke, “Now, I’m going to get all teared up here, but he was a joy to us. Okay? And that’s why he’s going to be missed. He’s going to be missed because of the work he did.”

The fire house where he worked was full of emotion for the loss of their chief.  “Robert was very dedicated to the work he performed while serving his community. His countless hours in the Hoosick Falls Fire Department include recently bringing in of a new ladder truck to the company. Upgrading equipment was his strong priority for the department. We have been in contact with the members of the family. We ask at this time that you let the family grieve in their own way and at their own privacy,” said Hoosick Falls Fire District Commissioner Richard Hunt.  

Bornt was killed in a work zone accident, and New York Governor Kathy Hochul reacted to the tragedy, saying:

“New York’s public employees play an essential role in the health and safety of all New Yorkers, and our highway maintenance workers do their jobs every day in all weather, in the face of high-speed traffic, to keep all of us safe. The death of Department of Transportation Highway Maintenance Supervisor Robert Bornt, who passed away this morning after suffering from catastrophic injuries related to a work zone crash in Pittstown yesterday afternoon, is nothing short of a senseless tragedy. Work zone safety is everyone’s responsibility, and this fatal crash underscores the importance of slowing down and paying attention in highway work zones — not only for the safety of the traveling public, but for the workers who are out there every day keeping us safe. I extend my deepest condolences to Robert’s family and friends, as well as his coworkers at the Department of Transportation, during this difficult time.”

“Robert Bornt was a hardworking, dedicated and beloved 22-year veteran of the New York State Department of Transportation family, who tragically passed away this morning from injuries he suffered as a result of a work zone intrusion while conducting roadway maintenance in Pittstown, NY.  Collectively, we mourn his loss and will forever keep Robert and his family in our prayers.  Our focus right now is with Robert’s family and the wellbeing of NYSDOT crews and personnel across New York State. The safety and well-being of our employees is my primary focus as Commissioner. The fight for their safety is my most important fight, and I will continue to raise awareness every day on the importance of drivers to slow down, pay attention and move over in highway work zones,” stated State Department of Transportation Commissioner, Marie Therese Dominguez.

The Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) released the following statement, “CSEA is renewing its call for stronger work zone safety enforcement and greater public awareness of the risks that highway workers face every day following the death of CSEA member Robert Bornt, a highway maintenance supervisor 1 at the state Department of Transportation.

Robert died this morning after sustaining injuries during a May 29 work zone intrusion in Pittstown, Rensselaer County. He had served as unit president of CSEA’s Transportation Region 1, Rensselaer County DOT Residency since 2016.

CSEA and PESH are investigating the incident.

On behalf of CSEA, my heart goes out to Robert’s family, loved ones and co-workers,” said CSEA President Mary E. Sullivan. “Our union members work on the roads to serve the public, not to put their lives on the line because of careless or reckless drivers. Yesterday’s incident is a painful reminder that work zones are not just construction sites, they are workplaces. When drivers are less aware, they endanger real people with families.”

CSEA actively lobbied for the recent expansion of the work zone safety measures in the recently passed state budget. The extension of the work zone speed camera program for another five years, along with the doubling of available speed cameras for the New York State Thruway Authority and Department of Transportation, as well as the inclusion of the New York State Bridge Authority, are essential steps forward, but more can be done.

“Enforcement must be a priority and matched with respect,” said Sullivan. “Our workers deserve to come home safe. Just last month, New York observed Work Zone Awareness Week, and this is a sad reminder that we must continue these efforts.”

CSEA will continue to advocate for policies that protects highway and road workers and ensure that every New Yorker understands these zones are workplaces that should be treated as the life-or-death safety issue it is. Respect the cones. Respect the speed limits. And most of all, respect the people doing the work.”

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