The assassination of Barrel Bob

MODOT reports that someone has destroyed Barrel Bob, a giant "safety creature" made from orange traffic barrels -- just as National Work Zone Safety Awareness Week was starting. (Bob's remains, pictured above, were found along Northeast Parvin Road.) Officials are pretty sure Bob was targeted, either by a vehicle or vandals on foot. Plus, he was off the road, 10 feet tall, dressed in reflective tape and primarily orange in color -- this was no accident.

All kidding aside, the department says it's another reminder that people need to slow down in work zones. National Work Zone Safety Awareness Week runs through Friday.

Hat Tip: Many thanks, Brad Cooper!

Below: Barrel Bob, in happier times.

Comments

[Joaquin]

Must have been Bob's night in the barrel.

[Kendra]

Please rebuild Barrel Bob! he makes me smile everytime i see them! I nearly wrecked my car the first I saw her because I kept gawking, but still...its a cleaver and fun thing that always makes me smile on my way to work.

[Bert]

RUDE!!!! Poor Bob. I hope he can be fixed and placed back in his spot. The criminals must not win!

[Bohica]

People just can't leave stuff alone!!

[cripjak]

Probably the "Plaza Kids". RIP Barrel Bob.

[AH]

The one that was there the last time I drove that way was a Roberta with long yellow mop hair.

Although the originator was arrested for defacing property I am glad that construction companies backed him and are using what he started to make people think.

[cniehaus]

they need to catch the perps, fine them 10 grand, and revolk their license for hitting a hiway worker!!

[ricky]

i know a guy named eric who did it, i watched it with my own eyes. long live barrel bob and his wife barrel barb.

[Jeffisright]

joaquin must be tired cause that was terrible.

[tresdognite]

a low flying goose was the culprit

[Street]

Like Kendra, I too loved Barrel Bob! (And his lady friend around Valentine's Day, Barrel Betty, I think.) I thought it was a really funny, cheap and clever way to make people aware of the construction. I think we should start a petition to resurrect him.

[Marvin]

Really annoying that a guy puts the work into creating these icons, and some idiots rip it down for giggles.

[ToyFox]

And with stories like this, do we really need to wonder what is wrong with our country? It's a total lack of respect for anything. People see something and think about how much fun they will have tearing it down or defacing it.
A shameful act. I'd say "hope your proud of yourselves." But I know that these miscreants probably ARE proud of their vandalism.

[US 71]

Well, I hope he (it?) can be rebuilt.
"We can make him better than he was before. Better, stronger, faster"

Well, OK... maybe not faster ;)

[Tom]

obama did it,
or was it bush

[kctruth]

This freakin' scary, nightmare-causing orange plastic ogre needed to be put down. He has traumatized enough innocent drivers.

(Also, see Clowns)

[killemall]

Just what we need, something that is ment to draw your attention to a work zone, actually draws your attention away from it. Let him R.I.P. (or pieces)

[Cow Patty KC]

Kendra and Toyfox I agree. We need to get Bob rebuilt. Shame shame shame on whom ever did this. A most shallow mind or minds. Dear Lord Please watch over all of our Workers out there on the Highways and roads. Please Keep them Safe.

[k]

Rumor is Bob had been oogling a lot of female drivers. It's unclear whether anyone had run a background check on him before he went to work. Grapevine says it was an inside job by an irate husband.

[James]

We need Barrel Bob back and I hope that your going to restore him and bring him back to the highways.

[Rohlfast]

After reading these comment's I have decided to rebuild Bob

[Cheap UGG Boots]

Believe that the fate of many people are sensitive, emotional and delicate and very caring.