Family mourns loss of hit-and-run father killed by driver while working at I-75 construction site

A Metro Detroit family is mourning the loss of a father and husband after a driver struck and killed him during construction on I-75.

Jeffrey McLeod, 53, of Lincoln Park, died Wednesday (Nov. 5).

“My father was one of the kindest and most generous men I have ever known,” said McLeod’s son, Dylan McLeod.

Police said McLeod was placing a light pattern between construction vehicles in the right lane when a 71-year-old driver of a Kia sedan entered the right lane and struck him.

“There were street signs, there were trucks, there were arrow signs, there were flares, and he did his job correctly.

Dylan said. “He was safe and this terrible, tragic incident still happened.”

Jeffrey was a husband, father and grandfather.

“Even though he worked so much, he still made the time to be there for everyone,” Dylan said.

The McLeods are advocating for drivers to be careful in construction zones.

“If you see construction, know that they are out there working and trying to get home safely,” Dylan said. “Maybe you’re trying to drive home safely, and they’re trying to get home safely.”

Michigan had 24 work zone fatalities in 2023, according to the Office of Highway Safety Planning.

If you would like to support the McLeod family, they have launched a GoFundMe.