Gas Workers 11-6 member hit by driver fleeing police in St. Louis

By SHERI GASSAWAY
Missouri Correspondent

A 21-year-old Gas Workers Local 11-6 member was struck while on the job by the driver of an SUV who was fleeing police in South St. Louis on Feb. 1.

Carson Hull, who works for Spire, suffered severe injuries, one of which required the amputation of his left leg. He also sustained internal injuries, nine broken ribs, a broken wrist and deep scrapes and bruises.

St. Louis Police say the incident, which happened at the intersection of Gravois and Hampton avenues, stemmed from an apparent motorcycle theft that was reported earlier in St. Louis County.

JUST DOING HIS JOB
“This kid was hit by a fleeing thief,” said St. Louis Labor Council President Pat White, also a member of Local 11-6. “He is 21 and lost a leg just doing his job as a utility worker. Please be careful out there when around our brothers and sisters working on these road crews. They’re all just trying to do an honest day’s work and go home to their families at the end of the day.”

Local 11-6 Business Manager Mark Harmon said Hull, a first-year construction laborer, is a good worker and echoed White’s thoughts.

SENSELESS ACCIDENT
“Our members go through rigorous safety training, but nothing could have prevented what happened,” he said. “It was a senseless crime, and we are keeping Carson and his family in our thoughts and prayers as he recovers.”

Spire also released a statement: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the Spire employee who was struck by a vehicle while working at a job site this morning. Our employee was taken to a local hospital and is currently surrounded by family and coworkers.”

Hull’s mother Jayme is keeping friends and family updated on his progress on her Facebook page. She said he has taken the tragedy that could have quickly altered his entire personality and “ran to the stars with it.”

TRUE WARRIOR
“He’s doing so good,” Jayme Hull told the Labor Tribune. “His spirits are so high. It’s made this whole nightmare much more tolerable because of it. He is a True Warrior.”

She said a fellow Spire worker and Local 11-6 journeyman, Brandon Mooney, witnessed the incident, found Carson and knew what to check since he has been a volunteer fireman for eight years.

“He stayed with Carson and helped keep him calm and let him know help was on the way, she said. He even held his hand.”

After the incident, the driver of the SUV briefly continued driving before ditching the car in an alley and running away. Police are still investigating.

‘BLOWN AWAY’ BY SUPPORT
“The support, compassion, love, kind words/gestures, Facebook messages/comments and prayers have totally blown us away,” Jayme Hull wrote. “Not only has our family and friends and Spire stepped up to rally around us but so many others who genuinely care and want to help.”

A Go Fund Me account has been set up to help the family with expenses. To donate, visit gofundme.com/f/carson-hull.