'It Was Heartbreaking': Beggs Community Remembers, Mourns Man Killed In Construction Accident

The family of Beggs resident Ian Lampkins is grieving after he was killed in a road construction accident last week. Troopers say Lampkins was driving a roller when he lost control, was thrown from the vehicle, and was pinned beneath it.

Friends and coworkers remember Lampkins, who had worked as a road worker for only two months, as a dedicated worker who loved his job and his family. He was looking forward to becoming a father.

Ernie Ferreira, deputy chief at the Okmulgee County Garage, described Lampkins’ enthusiasm: “I can still see it now, walking around that corner, that smile was way out there. He was ready to go, ready to get after it every day.”

Erik Zoellner, Okmulgee County commissioner, said the accident on Wednesday shook the town of Beggs.

"I think it reverberated throughout the community, what happened to Ian," Noellner said.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol reports Lampkins was operating heavy construction equipment and got too close to the edge of the road, causing the machine to roll over and pin him underneath. His coworkers noted he was not wearing a seatbelt.

“It was heartbreaking,” Zoellner said. “The first thing the three of us did was pray.”

Lampkins, 25, died from his injuries. Zoellner now hopes to support Lampkins’ wife Abby and their unborn daughter, Delilah. In their last conversation, Lampkins expressed concern about needing reliable transportation for his family.

A GoFundMe account has been set up to raise money for a new car for the Lampkins family. The community has already raised nearly $4,000 toward the $30,000 goal.

Lampkins’ funeral is scheduled for Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Crossroads Baptist Church in Beggs.