State Rep. Jennifer Wortz has introduced new legislation to honor a local road worker who died in the line of duty earlier this summer.
House Bill 6309 would designate the section of M-86 between U.S. 12 and Arbogast Road as the “Casey Rice Memorial Highway”. Rice, a 46-year-old Branch County Road Commission employee, was killed in June when a semi-truck struck the tractor-mower he was operating near Interstate 69.
The crash occurred along a stretch of highway that Rice routinely maintained for the community. Prosecutors have charged the truck driver involved with open murder and operating while intoxicated causing death.
Wortz, a Republican from Quincy, said the designation will offer a permanent tribute to Rice’s service and ensure his memory remains connected to the area he cared for.
“We cannot bring people back after losing them to tragedy, but his memory can, and must, be carried forward,” Wortz stated.
If passed by the state Legislature, the bill will officially rename the roadway segment in his honor.