evidence: On July 20, 2023, we began to receive emails from readers who asked if there was any truth to scary-sounding tales of traffic-control flaggers dying after strangers had handed them bottles with water or Gatorade that had been laced with fentanyl. Examples of cities where these incidents had supposedly occurred included San Diego, Chicago, and Spokane. [...] INCIDENT SUMMARY: A local flagging contractor experienced a terrible incident where a random stranger driving by the jobsite offered two flaggers bottled water due to the high heat temperatures. Apparently, the water bottles given to the flaggers were laced with Fentanyl. [...] We regret to inform you of a tragic incident that occurred two days ago involving NPL Pipeline Company in the Chicago suburbs. During the project, two flaggers were offered bottles of water by an unknown individual in a passing car. Sadly, one of the flaggers lost their life, and the other flagger is currently in critical condition. After conducting an investigation, it is suspected that the water provided to the flaggers was laced with fentanyl, a potent and dangerous opioid.