By DIANE S. WILLIAMS

Highway Repairer Walter Rogers, 46, was killed Aug 21 at a Queens asphalt plant when a 45-ton tractor-trailer crushed him against his dump truck.

Around 2 a.m., Mr. Rogers, a Local 376 member and 17-year veteran of the Dept. of Transportation, loaded his truck with asphalt, collected his receipt and headed back to his truck. He was fatally pinned between the two vehicles as the tractor-trailer pulled away from the Grace plant.

The tractor-trailer driver, an Assistant HR and Local 983 member, was treated for post-traumatic stress. “It’s sad when things like this happen,” said Carmine Gallo, a Queens Street Maintenance supervisor who worked with Mr. Rogers. “Walter and I talked everyday. I feel a real sense of loss,” he said.

Local 376 President Gene DeMartino, Treasurer Tom Kattou, and DC 37 Blue Collar Division Reps David Catala and Bill Fenty quickly met with the members. DC 37’s Personal Service Unit offered counseling to the 35 DOT employees on the Queens-based night crew.

The city Police Dept., the state Public Employee Safety and Health Division and DC 37’s Health and Safety Unit are investigating the apparent accident. DOT Highway Repairers work hard to maintain city streets for millions of New Yorkers and commuters. Fixing and paving roads and major arteries is dangerous work. Walter Rogers was the fourth Local 376 member killed on the job since 1996.

“The local has been working diligently on enforcing health and safety issues and protections for our members,” said Mr. Kattou. The hazards are compounded for night crews, said Mr. DeMartino. “The guys on the nightshift always have it harder,” he said. “Night workers face a more stressful environment.”

Mr. Rogers worked the nightshift for his entire DOT career. Co-workers remembered the former military man as an exceptionally diligent worker. In three days, Mr. Gallo collected more than $2,200 from the Queens crew, “who responded like family to the tragedy,” Mr. Gallo said.

“Walter was a hell of a sweet guy who never liked sitting around. He never slowed down,” said roadway partner Raphael Quinones of Local 983. “If you needed help with your car or just a listening ear, Walter was there for you.

“Walter walked in and shook everyone’s hand. He always said ‘Have a nice day, be careful out there.’ We’ll miss that,” Mr. Quinones continued. “DC 37 is working on legislation that would offer a year’s salary and lifetime health benefits to the surviving spouse and children of civil servants killed in the line of duty,” said DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts.

City Council members James F. Gennaro and John Liu will be co-sponsoring the bills, which are modeled after legislation passed in 1999 and 2001 for the families of NYPD Officers. A caravan of 200 private cars and DOT vehicles led the Sept. 2 funeral procession, which included Mayor Mike Bloomberg, DOT Commissioner Iris Weinshall, union staff, the Queens yard night crew, engineers and supervisors. Mr. Rogers is survived by his wife, MaryAnn, and daughter, Tiffany.