fatalities
Excuse the length of this depressing exercise, but I’ve been away for a couple of weeks and unlike me, workplace death takes no vacation. The usual falls, machinery deaths, vehicle accidents. Also several sanitation workers lost their lives over the past several week, as well as retail workers shot on the job. From Alabama to Wisconsin. From Idaho to Mississippi.  From Massachusetts to California and on to Guam.  The toll of workplace death goes on.

College Station police: Man, 24, dies in workplace accident

College Station, TX — A 24-year-old man died Saturday morning in a workplace accident, authorities said. According to College Station police, authorities were dispatched to the 1300 block of Earl Rudder Freeway around 8:15 a.m. on the report of an accident. First responders arrived and administered life-saving measures, and the injured person, identified as Guillermo Lopez, was taken to the hospital. He later died of his injuries.

Brighton man killed in accident involving large tilling machine identified

BOULDER, Colo. — Authorities have released the name of a Colorado man who was killed in an accident involving a large tilling machine. The Boulder Daily Camera reports 65-year-old Ray Garner, of Brighton, was in a field when his clothing became entangled in an auger Monday afternoon. He died at the scene. The Erie Police Department, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Weld County coroner’s office are investigating.

Construction worker killed after car crash

Gainesville, FL — A construction worker was killed after he was hit by a car on West Newberry Road early Friday morning, Gainesville Police said. A car driving east struck 45-year-old Yamil Hernandez as he was working in a construction zone on the side of road at about 12:50 a.m., said GPD spokesperson Lt. Jorge Campos during a press conference. It is unknown which construction company Hernandez worked for.

Man Killed In Farm Accident

Van Buren County, MI — The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a farm death in Hartford on Friday. It tells us deputies were sent to Red Arrow Dairy on County Road 362 around 6:30 a.m. when a 35-year-old male worker was found unresponsive. The Van Buren County Sheriff’s office says the man was 35-year-old John Garth Cummings of Middleville. Emergency life saving procedures were conducted by employees of the dairy and first responders, and the man was taken to Watervliet Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Deputies learned the worker, who was from Middleville, was subcontracted for a company out of Grand Rapids and was on site to conduct testing. He was found buried in corn silage, which is fermented high moisture food fed to tjhe cattle. Police believe the victim was near the roughly 30 foot-high corn silage when some of it broke away and fell on to him. Officials from the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration were contacted and are investigating. The victim’s name has not been released.

Employee dies at West Fraser’s Florida mill

Maxville, Fl — West Fraser has confirmed an employee died at its Maxville, Florida site this morning (Nov. 30). Tara Knight, who works in West Fraser’s communications department, said details of the incident are still unknown. “We are working with authorities on site to determine what happened. Our thoughts are with the employee’s family and our employees at this time,” she said via email. Deputies said a stack of wood materials fell on a worker, killing him.

Latest CSX-related fatality, recent derailments highlight safety concerns

Estill, SC — John Youmans, a 10-year CSX employee and father of three, was struck and killed by a train while welding on CSX track in Estill, South Carolina on Friday at 10:30 a.m. “Safety is CSX’s highest priority and our goal is for every employee to return home safely to his or her family at the end of every day,” CSX said in a statement. “Losing a fellow railroader is difficult for everyone at CSX, and we will fully investigate this incident to understand what happened and how it could have been prevented.” The fatality comes in the same month as two derailments that occurred on back-to-back weekends in central Georgia; no injuries  or spills were reported in either derailment. The events highlight safety problems that have plagued an otherwise robust operational turnaround at the Jacksonville-based railroad.

Man killed when nitrous oxide tank explodes in Sanford

 — Authorities are investigating a fatal building explosion Thursday night in Lee County. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office said deputies responded to an industrial accident at Sadler’s Automotive at 6342 Lemon Spring Road just after 7:30 p.m. Witnesses told deputies that a man was preparing to fill a nitrous oxide tank when it exploded. The man was pronounced dead at the scene. Video from the scene showed the explosion caused the ceiling of the building to cave in and the windows had been blown out.

Patient, EMT dead in ambulance crash on I-40E in Nashville

NASHVILLE, TN  — Two people are dead after a crash on I-40 east near Charlotte Pike on Friday night involving a West Tennessee ambulance, according to Metro Police. Metro Police said the private ambulance, affiliated with West Tennessee Health Care and Jackson-Madison County General Hospital, was traveling east on I-40 near Charlotte Avenue when the driver lost control of the vehicle while negotiating a curve and crashed into a rock wall.  The patient in the ambulance, 36-year-old Nyema Jackson of Jackson, Tenn., and the medic in the rear of the ambulance, 36-year-old Zachary Pruitt of Humbolt, Tenn., were ejected from the vehicle. They were transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in critical condition where they later died.

Construction worker killed near movie studio

Fayetteville, GA — A construction worker is dead after he was killed while working across the street from the Pinewood Atlanta movie studio on Thursday. A coworker discovered the man’s body around 6 p.m. at the Pinewood Forest development. The worker says he found the body under a front loader after noticing the machine’s reverse lights were on. Investigators believe the man may have fallen and somehow ended up under the machine. The victim hasn’t been identified but police tell CBS46 News he is a Hispanic male in his 30’s.

Employee dies in Ozinga industrial accident in Lemont

Lemont, IL — An employee was killed Monday afternoon in an industrial accident at an Ozinga concrete plant in southwest suburban Lemont. The accident happened at 1:44 p.m. Monday at 11400 Old Lemont Road, near the Chicago Shipping and Sanitary Canal, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.  The man, identified as 30-year-old Michael James McClaren of Naperville, was pronounced dead at 2:15 p.m., the medical examiner’s office said. An autopsy Tuesday found McClaren died from multiple injuries from an industrial accident. The person’s identity was being withheld pending notification of family. A statement from Ozinga referred to the person as an employee of the company.

64-year-old Mercersburg man killed in industrial accident at Chambersburg warehouse

FRANKLIN COUNTY, PA — A 64-year-old Mercersburg man died early Thursday morning in an industrial accident at a Franklin County warehouse. The accident occurred at about 2:50 a.m. at Franklin Storage LP on the 900 block of Kriner Road in Chambersburg. Fire and emergency officials dispatched to the scene discovered the victim lying under a 1,800-pound stack of plywood. The victim, identified as Glenn A. Shelly, was dead at the scene.

Solid waste employee hit and killed by car

COLUMBIA CO., Fla. (WCTV) —A solid waste employee was killed Tuesday morning when he was struck by a vehicle as he was standing behind his truck. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the crash happened around 10:00 a.m. on County Road 250 just south of NW Kimble Glen in Columbia County. The crash report states that 38-year-old Kent Sexton was traveling southeast on County Road 250, where a solid waste truck was stopped in the southbound lane. Troopers say Sexton did not notice the stopped truck or the employee standing behind it and crashed into the back of the vehicle. The employee, 34-year-old Julian Udell, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Gunman kills 1 at municipal building, is arrested

Paradise Township, PA — A man who may have been having trouble getting permits for work on his property shot and killed a township employee in a government building Tuesday, then paced the hallway with his head in his hands until police arrived to take him into custody, authorities said. The gunman walked inside the Paradise Township municipal building about 8:20 a.m., asked for the victim by name, then shot him in the mouth in his office, according to court documents. A co-worker administered CPR until paramedics showed up, but Michael Tripus, 65, of Stroudsburg, was declared dead at the scene.

Truck Driver Killed in Fiery Crash Near Terrell

Kaufman County, TX — The driver of an 18-wheeler was killed Tuesday night in a fiery crash that shut down Interstate 20 in Kaufman County, officials say. According to a Texas Department of Public Safety spokesman, it happened when an 18-wheeler struck the back of another big rig that was stopped in traffic behind another crash near mile marker 505. The driver of the trailing truck was killed. The driver of the 18-wheeler that was not injured, though the truck was consumed in flames.

Truck driver killed in crash with tractor on Alabama 20

Hillsboro, AL — A man died in a crash involving a truck and tractor in north Alabama on Tuesday evening. The wreck happened three miles west of Hillsboro on Alabama 20 in Lawrence County, according to AL.com news partner WHNT News-19. James Randolph Church, a 49-year-old from Tuscumbia, died at the scene of the 5:15 p.m. crash, state troopers told WHNT. Church was driving a truck that hit the tractor.

Man’s death at construction site prompts federal investigation

Mangilao, Guam — A federal investigation is underway after a man is killed in an apparent construction site accident. The US Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration is now investigating after a construction worker is killed. Guam fire confirming Jay Wasisang was struck by a backhoe bucket while spotting for the operator who was digging a hole. It happened around 4:30 pm on Sunday on Palomares street just off the back road to Andersen Air Force Base.

Sanitation worker dies in Martin County

LOVELY, Ky. – Kentucky State Police (KSP) Pikeville Post 09 has opened a death investigation involving a solid waste employee in Martin County. Martin County Deputy Coroner James Mollett pronounced David Robinson, 45, of Lovely, Kentucky, deceased at the scene of the accident. The KSP received a call from the Martin County Sheriff’s office just before 9 a.m. Thursday requesting a trooper respond to Ky. 292 at Lovely to investigate the death of a solid waste worker who was thought to have fallen off the back of a garbage truck. The KSP trooper determined the victim had possibly fallen from the vehicle onto the roadway and died from the injuries he received.

Construction worker injured in Thief River Falls has died

THIEF RIVER FALLS, Minn. — Authorities say a man hurt while working on a construction project in Thief River Falls has died of his injuries. KVRR reports McShane Construction Company says the man was working for the steel erector on an expansion at Digi-Key when he was injured in an accident Nov. 6. The company says the worker died 9 days later. No other details were provided.

Beaumont man killed after car hits garbage truck ID’d

Orange, TX — A 28-year-old sanitation worker, Derrick Cane, died after an Orange teen struck a garbage truck Monday evening, according to information from the Orange Police Department. At approximately 4:27 p.m. officers responded to a call in reference to a major crash in the 3300 block of MLK. Initial reports indicate a 2014 Hyundai Sonata driven by an 18-year-old from Orange was travelling southbound when she struck a sanitation truck that was stopped to pick up garbage bins, OPD said. Cane had just turned 28 just 40 days prior to his death.

Worker Crushed to Death by Metal Wall on Site

Brooklyn, NY — Over Paredes, a 44-year-old construction worker, was crushed to death by falling debris on a construction site in Brooklyn, New York last Wednesday, according to published reports. Paredes was doing rooftop work with two of his sons when he was pinned beneath a metal wall that had fallen on him. Paredes’ son reportedly pulled him from under the wall, claiming it had fallen because of the high winds. According to him, no one should have been working on the roof that day. “On the day of the incident, the crane operators had reportedly refused to use the crane because of high winds,” Eric Adams, Brooklyn borough president, told PIX 11. “We want to make sure that this wasn’t a way of circumventing a decision by the crane operators.”

Herndon man dies after construction accident

Herndon, VA — A construction worker from Herndon died Nov. 21 from injuries sustained during a fall in the Ashburn area, according to the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff’s office officials on Nov. 28 said the victim was 49-year-old Jose Escalante. Around 10:20 a.m. the day before Thanksgiving, deputies responded to the 22000 block of Dolomite Hills Drive, where authorities say Escalante fell approximately 10-30 feet from a ladder while working construction on a residence. He succumbed to injuries after being taken to a local hospital. An LCSO spokesman said all indications are the death was an accident.

Worker in Arkansas Electrocuted at Pine Bluff Plant

Pine Bluff, Ark. — Authorities say a worker in Pine Bluff, Ark. has died after he was electrocuted at a cottonseed oil plant. Pine Bluff police say the employee was changing switches in an electrical cage at Planters Cotton Oil Mill on Monday when he was electrocuted. The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office identified the worker as 62-year-old Samson Staton.

Vehicle strikes, kills construction worker on Alcott Road

Concord, MA — Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Concord Chief of Police Joseph O’Connor have confirmed a worker died after being struck by a commercial vehicle Nov. 26 on the corner of Alcott and Independence roads. Concord Police Lt. Christopher Troiano said an officer working on the construction detail alerted Concord’s police and fire departments at 12:22 p.m. after Wayne Moody, a 75-year-old construction worker from Rutland, was hit by a vehicle associated with the work to repave Alcott Road. According to a press release from Ryan’s office, their investigation suggested that Moody had been working on the side of the road when the utility pickup truck backed up, running him over.

Stanislaus County sheriff’s deputy killed in crash in Riverbank

Riverbank, CA — A Stanislaus County sheriff’s deputy died in a single-vehicle crash in Riverbank Sunday night. According to a press release issued early Monday by the sheriff’s department, deputy Antonio “Tony” Hinostroza, 45, died after his patrol car hit a power pole at Terminal Avenue and Claribel Road just before 10 p.m. Hinostroza, who was assigned to the department’s main office, was responding to help deputies in Riverbank who were involved in a chase.

Utah officer killed, fleeing suspect also dead

SOUTH SALT LAKE, Utah (AP) — A 31-year-old police officer in a Salt Lake City suburb was killed when he was intentionally struck by a car carrying fleeing burglary suspects, police said. The driver of the car was shot and killed by police and an accomplice was arrested. South Salt Lake Officer David Romrell died Saturday night at a hospital, Police Chief Jack Carruth said. The Marine Corps veteran is survived by his wife and 4-month-old child. Carruth said Romrell and another officer responded to a burglary call at a business and came across two males trying to flee in a car. The officers got out of their patrol vehicles and ordered the suspects to stop. Instead, the driver accelerated and struck Romrell.

On-duty city police officer killed in crash

WINCHESTER, VA — A city police officer was killed Saturday night in a single-vehicle crash while responding to a call, according to a city news release. Officer Hunter Edwards, 30, of Frederick County, died as a result of the crash, which occurred about 10:50 p.m. on East Jubal Early Drive, less than a mile west of Pleasant Valley Road, the release stated. He was responding to a report of a fight just a few blocks away on South Loudoun Street. Corinne N. Geller, public relations director for the Virginia State Police, which is investigating the crash, said Edwards was driving west on East Jubal Early Drive in a 2006 Ford Crown Victoria police cruiser when the vehicle spun off the right side of the road and struck a tree and guardrail.

Man Killed in Bus Crash

Port Orchard, WA — A 75 year old man, James Kingston, was driving a Ford Econoline Bus for Bremerton Kitsap Airporter, when it left the roadway to the right and struck a tree. The vehicle caught fire and became fully engulfed. (Source: Washington Department of Labor and Industries)

Worker dies after fall from condo roof at Lake of the Ozarks

Camdenton, MO — A worker fell off a condominium roof Friday morning and apparently died of injuries sustained from the impact. An adult male, a worker for a roofing contractor working on the building, was found to have fallen from the three-story Horizons Condominium building located off of Bear Paw Road north of Camdenton. According to further information from a press release from the MCFPD, the victim landed in a rocky area and suffered significant injuries. Bystanders attempted life-saving measures which were continued by emergency service personnel. Camden County Ambulance also responded to the scene.The victim was declared dead at the scene from the injuries sustained from the fall. His identity has not been released at this time. Frandsen estimated the man fell 45 feet due to the additional height from the basement to the roof on the side of the building where it occurred.

Authorities investigate death at Boise Cascade plywood plant in Louisiana

FLORIEN, La. Boise Cascade, one of the largest producers of engineered wood and plywood in North America, is working with local authorities to investigate a fatal accident that occurred at the company’s plywood manufacturing operation in Florien, Louisiana. At approximately 3:20 a.m. on November 18th, an employee was performing maintenance repair on a piece of equipment. The details surrounding how the accident occurred is under investigation. Emergency responders were called to the scene, but the employee did not survive. His name is being withheld at this time out of respect for the family.

Iowa Construction Worker Dies at Turtle Creek Wind Farm

St. Ansgar, Iowa — An Iowa construction worker was killed in what authorities are calling an “industrial accident” in St. Ansgar, Iowa over the weekend.  The Mitchell County Sheriff’s Office says the man was killed while loading heavy equipment but says it is not a criminal matter and that the incident is now being investigated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. White Construction Inc., which is working on the Turtle Creek Wind Farm Project in St. Ansgar, says the victim was one of its employees named Joseph Hill.  The president of White Construction Inc., David Berthelsen, says Hill was based out of Iowa and in his mid 40’s.

Victim shot at West Nyack auto shop Saturday dies, identified as Youbens Joseph

West Nyack, NY — A 37-year-old man shot during a dispute with a customer at a West Nyack used car outlet Saturday afternoon died overnight and police are trying to locate his killer, authorities say. The victim was identified as Youbens Joseph of Middletown in Orange County. Joseph was shot three times in the torso and suffered “major internal damage,” according to the Clarkstown Police Department. The shooting appeared to result from a disagreement with a customer. Joseph is the registered owner of the business, according to state records.

Mississippi Police Officer Killed in Crash

Philadelphia, MS — A Philadelphia, Mississippi police officer died in a crash while responding to a call early Saturday morning. Officer Leann Simpson died as a result of a single-vehicle crash around 2 a.m. on West Beacon Street, according to The Meridian Star. Philadelphia Police Chief Grant Myers told the newspaper that deputies were conducting a traffic stop on Highway 16. When dispatchers could not make contact with the deputies, they requested police to check on them.  The 23-year-old officer, who had been the job for 15 months, was responding to that call when she died in the crash.

One thought on “Weekly Toll: Three Weeks of Death on the Job”
  1. I’m shocked! What the hell is going on? Please let us know there
    are methods available to stop these unfortunate deaths….

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