Worker Fatally Injured in Highway 17 Expansion Zone; State Officials Launch Investigation

Martin County, North Carolina — November 13, 2025 — According to WITN, state authorities are reviewing the circumstances surrounding the death of a construction worker who suffered severe injuries after being struck by a piece of heavy equipment along a Highway 17 expansion site.

According to a fundraising page created on his family’s behalf, Harry Corprew was seriously hurt when a bulldozer ran over him at a Williamston-area job site. The incident caused significant trauma to his leg and pelvis. Corprew passed away on October 23, as confirmed by both the fundraiser and his obituary.

Corprew was employed by Branch, a Roanoke, Virginia–based construction company. The company reported that he had been assigned to the U.S. 17 road-widening project—an ongoing effort spanning portions of Beaufort and Martin counties—at the time of the incident.

Branch noted that the accident happened on the Martin County portion of the work zone.

In a statement, Branch expressed grief over the loss and emphasized the company’s cooperation with the North Carolina Department of Labor, which is conducting the official investigation.

“We are heartbroken by the passing of Harry Corprew. We continue to keep his loved ones and colleagues in our thoughts as they navigate this profound loss,” the statement read. “Harry was respected and admired by those he worked alongside, and his absence will be deeply felt. Because of the active regulatory review and out of respect for his family, we are unable to provide additional information. Safety remains our top priority, and we are committed to supporting our team members and maintaining safe job sites throughout North Carolina and Virginia.” The GoFundMe page notes that Corprew joined Branch in 2023.

The Ramsay Law Firm has attorneys who are Board Certified in Workers’ Compensation claims to help individuals with severe injuries and death claims.

A Voice For The Injured. Here Every Step of The Way. Call 704-376-1616 or contact us online.

Notes: Our team created this post using secondary sources and has not independently verified all the facts surrounding the accident. If you find any incorrect details, please contact the Ramsay Law Firm so we can update the post with the most accurate information. This post will be removed if requested.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is not intended to be legal or medical advice and is not a solicitation for business. The photograph used in this post is not representative of this accident. If you are injured in an accident, seek medical attention immediately, then speak to a North Carolina personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.