Man electrocuted while connecting pipes

A high-voltage power line fell into a trench and electrocuted a construction worker who was connecting fire hydrant pipes Tuesday in Arlington Heights.

The man was identified as Roberto Lazano, 32, of Summit, the Cook County medical examiner's office said.

Lazano worked for Swallow Sewer and Water Construction in Downers Grove. He was part of a team connecting pipes for fire hydrants in the Lynwood subdivision located on the 1800 block of North Wilke Road, said Cmdr. Nicholas A. Pecora Jr. of the Arlington Heights Police Department.

The accident occurred about 12:30 p.m. when another Swallow employee driving an excavating truck snapped a ComEd line. The line fell into the trench Lazano was working in, which contained some water, Pecora said. Another Swallow employee also was in the trench but was not seriously injured, Pecora said.

"One man declined medical treatment at the scene," Pecora said.

Lazano died shortly after arriving at Northwest Community Hospital, officials said.

The Occupational Safety & Health Administration is investigating the accident, Pecora said.

In 2003, the Arlington Heights village board voted to annex the Lynwood neighborhood, a 71-acre site along Wilke Road between Thomas Avenue and Palatine Road.

Once it was annexed, the village started work to provide better municipal services, including flood control, sewers, streets and fire hydrants.