A Syracuse University employee was struck by a moving vehicle Tuesday while helping a coworker refill her gas tank, and died later that night in University Hospital.

Stephen J. Melcher, 57, a large press operator at SU printing services, went to help Marianne McCarthy when her car ran out of gas at the 3-E Fayetteville exit off of Interstate 481.

At about 7:30 p.m., a van driven by Robert Fuller, 56, of Manlius, was attempting to exit south on I-481 when he tried to avoid Melcher and McCarthy, but failed because of traffic in the left lane.

‘There was heavy traffic,’ said Sgt. Michael Teneyck, of the New York State Police Department. ‘The gas tank was on the dangerous side of the road. They were three or four feet onto the road and it was dark. That’s when they were struck by the van.’

Fuller pulled his van off to the side of the road, but the driver behind him failed to stop and caused a three-car pile up in addition to the fatal accident involving Melcher, Teneyck said.

Rural/Metro Medical Services rushed McCarthy to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Syracuse with a broken hip and an injury to her arm. Ambulances took Melcher to University Hospital with massive head trauma, where he later died.

‘Wednesday morning, after hearing what happened to Steve, the Rev. (Thomas) Wolfe went to the printing plant to console Steve’s co-workers,’ said Kevin Morrow, SU spokesperson.

Additionally, representatives from the university’s Employee Assistance Program will meet with Melcher’s coworkers to help them cope with their loss, said Michael Domachowske, assistant director for printing services at SU.

Several of Melcher’s coworkers in printing services are collecting money to put a stone in memory of Melcher in the Orange Grove, Domachowske said. The memorial should be set in place within a few weeks.

‘Steve was a fantastic worker,’ Domachowske said. ‘With his background in mechanics, whenever a press would break he could get it up and running.’

Melcher worked as a large press operator at the university for 15 years. His background in mechanics comes from his previous experience as a technician at Bill Rapp Jaguar, said Domachowske.

Melcher lived in Marietta with his wife of 32 years, Theresa. He is survived by four children and several grandchildren. In his free time, Melcher was an avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt and fish, Domachowske said.

Published on October 17, 2004 at 12:00 pm